WASHINGTON (AP) -- Delta Air Lines Inc. said Wednesday that it estimates its pension-funding obligations will total $600 million for 2006, assuming current funding rules, and more than $3 billion through 2008.
The Atlanta-based carrier, in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, said it estimates pension obligations of $950 million for 2007 and $1.6 billion for 2008, also assuming current funding rules and continued interest-rate relief under a 2004 law.
The company also has a $450 million pension obligation for this year.
Delta added that those obligations could substantially decline if a bill introduced in April in the U.S. Senate makes it into law. The ''Employee Pension Preservation Act of 2005'' would allow an airline to extend the time during which it makes payments of unfunded liabilities under qualified defined benefit pension plans, Delta said. The company supports the bill.
The airline - which many analysts believe could file for bankruptcy this year - has lost $9.6 billion since January 2001, battered by the terrorist attacks, persistently high fuel prices, labor costs and lean revenue caused by low fares.
Delta shares rose 7 cents Wednesday to close at $3.24 on the New York Stock Exchange, near their 52-week low of $2.75.
