CHICAGO, Jan 29 (Reuters) - US Airways Group Inc. (LCC.N: Quote, Profile , Research) may raise its hostile takeover offer for Delta Air Lines Inc. (DALRQ.PK: Quote, Profile , Research) by $1 billion under certain conditions to win support from Delta creditors, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
Citing people familiar with the matter, the newspaper said US Airways would raise its offer, currently worth $10.2 billion, if the official committee of creditors demanded that Delta open itself to due diligence by US Airways.
A US Airways spokesman declined to confirm the press report, but said the company was in regular contact with Delta's creditors and would be until its offer expires on Feb. 1.
A condition of US Airway's offer is the Delta's creditors would have to ask a bankruptcy judge to postpone a hearing next week on the airline's restructuring plan and agree to support the start of a formal antitrust review, according to the report.
US Airways, which increased its bid for Delta this month by about 20 percent, has given the company's creditors until Feb. 1 to support it.
The airline wants creditors to ask Delta to postpone a key bankruptcy hearing and open its books so US Airways can take a closer look at Delta's financials.
Delta's management has resisted a merger with US Airways, saying the company can provide more value as a stand-along airline.
(Additional reporting by Jessica Hall)