Union says 215 Delta pilots opt for retirement

ATLANTA, July 16 (Reuters) - About 215 pilots at Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) have opted to take voluntary retirement packages under an incentive program, the union representing them disclosed on Thursday.

The pilot union's executive committee said in a memo posted on its website that pilots have until July 31 to revoke their decision to participate in the program, which Atlanta-based Delta offered in a bid to cut costs.

Delta, which merged with Northwest Airlines last year to create the world's biggest airline, has about 12,400 pilots. The union had said 9,400 pilots met the criteria for the voluntary program. Pilots who elect to depart could receive up to nine months of severance pay and other benefits.

Delta eliminated 4,000 jobs last year through voluntary exit packages.

A unit of the Air Line Pilots Association represents Delta pilots. (Reporting by Karen Jacobs; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)