Delta is struggling in the current tough business environment

America's third-biggest airline filed a report on Wednesday, saying that its recurring losses have prompted Deloitte & Touche to reissue its report.

Delta has already announced job cuts, which it said were made necessary by high fuel costs, pricing pressures, debt repayments and labour problems.

Many US carriers are suffering in a tough business environment.

The airline made a regulatory filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday to update its 2003 annual report, bringing the auditors' change of heart to the regulator's attention.

The reissued auditors' report raises doubts about the company's ability to continue as a "going concern", Delta said in a statement.

America's third-biggest airline has said it is meeting with bankruptcy lawyers in case it decides to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This would allow it to continue operating while giving it legal protection from creditors.