Delta Air Lines Inc., the nation’s third-largest carrier, plans to file for bankruptcy protection in New York as early as Wednesday, according to an industry consultant who has been informed of the company’s plans.

The consultant, who was not authorized to disclose the information and thus spoke on condition of anonymity, said Delta was working with GE Commercial Finance and other creditors to arrange roughly $2 billion in debtor-in-possession financing. The money would allow the airline to operate in bankruptcy.

Delta has lost nearly $10 billion since January 2001.