Delta Air Lines wants to cut an unspecified number of pilot jobs through early retirement incentives, according to the pilots’ union.

Active pilots who meet age and length-of-service requirements would be eligible for a severance payment, medical and dental benefits for a limited period of time, and retiree travel benefits.

The airline has cut other staff through voluntary severance programs.

Delta acquired Northwest Airlines last October. Together they employ 12,000 pilots.

Delta Air Lines is based and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Delta operates an expansive domestic and international network, spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Delta has plans to initiate service to Sydney, Australia in July 2009, which will make it the only current American carrier to serve every continent, excluding Antarctica.