Brazil and Peru have agreed to more than triple the frequency of airline flights between the two South American nations to lift bilateral trade and tourism, Peru's government said on Friday.

The accord signed by aviation authorities of both countries will allow 28 flights a week, up from the current quota of eight per week, which Peru says does not meet demand.

"The pact was signed on Thursday in Lima... and will give a big boost to tourism and bilateral trade," a Transport and Communications Ministry spokesman said.

El Salvador's Grupo TACA airline and Brazil's Varig are the only two airlines that fly directly between Peru and Brazil. Chilean flag carrier LAN, which owns Peru's top airline LanPeru, is interested in starting direct flights, a LanPeru spokeswoman said.

Brazil's OceanAir, which last year bought Colombian airline Avianca, said in December it would begin running domestic flights in Peru via its Wayra Peru unit. It is currently waiting for a flight permit from Peruvian authorities.

Peru, which wants to become one of the world's most open traders by 2020, has signed or amplified several aviation agreements in recent months with countries including Spain, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa.

It is trying to persuade Beijing-based Air China to take a share in small Peruvian state airline TANS.