ATLANTA (AP) – Delta Air Lines’ pilots union said late Wednesday it had reached a tentative agreement on concessions that could save the struggling carrier from bankruptcy.

Atlanta-based Delta had said it would have to seek bankruptcy protection if it didn’t get $1 billion in concessions. Union spokeswoman Karen Miller would not say if the tentative agreement was for $1 billion.

The nation’s third-largest airline was expected to decide by Wednesday whether to seek Chapter 11 protection from creditors. It said that could be delayed if the airline and pilots’ union reach agreement. A company spokeswoman said Wednesday night no decision had been made. She declined to elaborate.

AP-ES-10-27-04 2049EDT