Japan's ANA orders five more Boeing 787s

Japan's All Nippon Airways said Wednesday that it had increased its order for Boeing's troubled 787 Dreamliner to 55 aircraft, up from 50 previously.

ANA was the launch customer for the US aviation giant's next-generation 787 Dreamliner, which has been beset by a series of delays.

Boeing last month delayed the first flight and delivery of its 787 Dreamliner for the fifth time, to reinforce the aircraft's structure, in the latest setback in a program seen as a key to the aerospace giant's future.

ANA said the new 787 order would replace a previous one for Boeing 767-300ER planes.

The airline also announced plans to sell new shares worth about 182.6 billion yen (1.9 billion dollars) to help it weather an industry downturn caused by the global economic slowdown and a flu pandemic.

It said it would invest the funds in its business, including the acquisition of aircraft.

In April, ANA announced a net loss of 4.26 billion yen for the financial year to March, its first annual loss in six years.

But it is in better shape than Japan Airlines, Asia's largest carrier. JAL has reportedly secured loans of 100 billion yen from a group of banks, including two state-backed lenders, to help it through the economic crisis.