American Airlines has filed an application for the right to fly 10 additional U.S.–Brazil weekly flight that would enable it to begin new service from Miami to Manaus and increase the frequency of its current service from Miami to Brasilia and Belo Horizonte.American’s petition to the U.S. Department of Transportation is part of the phase-in of an Open Skies agreement that the U.S. and Brazil signed during President Obama’s March visit to Brazil. When the Open Skies agreement is fully implemented by October 1, 2015, U.S. airlines will be able to freely add flights if slots are available at a Brazilian airport.

Leading up to Open Skies, a large number of additional weekly frequencies are being phased in,Martha Pantin, an American spokeswoman in Miami, said Monday. There are 28 new frequencies to Brazil per year that will be available in 2011 and 2012, she said.American wants to use three slots to increase Miami–Brasilia service from four flights per week to daily and three other slots to increase Miami–Belo Horizonte service from four times per week to daily, beginning Dec. 15. The new Miami–Manaus service would be four times per week, beginning June 14, 2012.Just 2 1/2 years ago, American only served Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo from Miami, said Pantin. But as trade, tourism and business ties between Florida and Brazil have increased, the airline has added service to Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Recife and Salvador.