TOKYO (AP) - All Nippon Airways Co. is studying buying about five Airbus superjumbo A380s or other aircraft for long-haul routes, the Japanese carrier said Friday.

The nation's No. 2 airline set up a panel Thursday to decide which jets to buy, ANA spokeswoman Nana Kon said.

"We have several options including the A380, from which we plan to choose the optimal equipment," Kon said. The airline is also considering Boeing aircraft such as the 787 and 747, she said.

If the airline selects the A380, it would need about five jets for long-haul routes such as round-trip flights between Tokyo and New York, she said.

All purchases will be for long-distance flights to the United States and Europe, in time for a planned runway expansion at Tokyo's Narita International Airport set for 2010, Kon said.

Major Japanese business daily The Nikkei reported Friday that ANA's panel is expected to decide to buy five A380 jets at about 100 billion yen (US$940 million).

The airline wants to cut costs and fuel consumption with the A380, which can carry about 800 passengers, according to the report.

Singapore Airlines flew the world's first A380 on a commercial flight from Singapore to Sydney in October. Dubai-based Emirates airlines has ordered 58 with its first flight set for Aug. 1.