Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines said it is accelerating payments into its four pension funds.

Delta said it was adding $558 million in accelerated contributions to the pension funds to meet the required contribution levels for this year about seven months early. Normally, the company makes most of the required contributions near the end of the year.

Delta terminated its pilot pension plan during bankruptcy. Its other pension plans, including pension plans from merger partner Northwest Airlines, were frozen in 2005.

Delta's executive vice president of human resources Mike Campbell said in a written statement that putting the money into the plans earlier "means it will start working for employees sooner, by earning returns that add to the plan assets."

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