Japan Airlines has ordered six more Boeing 767 aircraft, it said on Thursday, in a deal worth USD$800 million at list prices.

Asia's biggest carrier ordered three 767-300ER cargo planes and three 767-300ER passenger planes, it said in a statement. ER stands for extended range.

Analysts say 767 orders are important for Boeing as it aims to keep production of the model running until a possible deal to supply US military refuelling planes based on the 767 comes through.

Demand from airlines for the model has fallen, overshadowed by Boeing's new 787 due in 2008.

An airline official declined to give the purchase price for the planes, due to be delivered between 2007 and early 2008.

The planes are worth USD$800 million at list prices, though discounts are common in the industry.

Japan Airlines has 37 of the 767 model in service. Three more 767-300ERs are due to be delivered by next March.

It will be using the 767-300 cargo version for the first time.