AIRLINES

Delta Appeals to Pilots: The president of Delta Air Lines said in a letter to pilots that without concessions, the airline risks “an economic blood bath which seriously threatens” its future. The letter to the 9,400 pilots from Delta President W. Whitley Hawkins came as managers and pilots union representatives prepared to meet today over Delta’s call for concessions, including deferral of a 5% pay raise set for Sept. 1. “If there is a true need, we’ll act appropriately,” Air Line Pilots Assn. spokesman Rhea Nichols said. Delta lost $506 million in the year ended June 30. It plans layoffs, benefit cuts and wage freezes.