Business

177.9 billion yen loss reported by JAL

20:27 pm on 27 February 2010

Japan Airlines has announced a massive increase in losses.

The airline said it lost 177.9 billion yen ($US1.99 billion) in the last nine months of 2009 - compared to a loss of 1.9 billion yen a year earlier.

JAL entered bankruptcy protection last month. The airline is continuing to operate flights while it undergoes major restructuring under court supervision.

JAL collapsed after amassing $US16.5 billion in debts.

The BBC reports the company is expected to cut staff, routes and aircraft numbers in an attempt to return to profitability.