operations for the period from October 30 to December 31, 2008, increasing operating expense $2.1 billion. The addition of Northwest for that period increased capacity 10% for the full year. 

Restructuring and merger-related items. Restructuring and merger-related items totaled a $1.1 billion charge, primarily consisting of the following:

	•	 	Merger-related charges. $978 million in one-time primarily non-cash charges relating to the issuance or vesting of employee equity awards in connection with the Merger.

 	•	 	Severance and related costs. $114 million in restructuring and related charges in connection with two voluntary workforce reduction programs for U.S. non-pilot employees announced in March 2008 in which approximately 4,200 employees elected to participate.

 

 	•	 	Facilities and other. $25 million in facilities charges primarily related to accruals for future lease obligations for previously announced plans to close operations in Concourse C at the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport (the “Cincinnati Airport”).

 	•	 	Contract carrier restructuring. $14 million in charges associated with the early termination of certain capacity purchase agreements with contract carriers.

 

Impairments. During the March 2008 quarter, we experienced a significant decline in market capitalization driven primarily by record fuel prices and overall airline industry conditions. In addition, the announcement of our intention to merge with Northwest established a stock exchange ratio based on the relative valuation of Delta and Northwest. As a result of these indicators, we determined goodwill was impaired and recorded a non-cash charge of $6.9 billion. In addition to the goodwill impairment charge, in the June 2008 quarter, we recorded a non-cash charge of $357 million to reduce the carrying value of certain intangible assets based on their revised estimated fair values.

Fuel expense . Fuel expense, including contract carriers, increased $2.2 billion, primarily due to higher average fuel prices, partially offset by fuel hedge gains and reduced consumption from lower capacity. Fuel prices averaged $3.18 per gallon, including fuel hedge gains of $134 million, for 2008, compared to $2.24 per gallon, including fuel hedge gains of $51 million, for 2007.

Salaries and related costs. A $109 million increase primarily from a 6% average increase in pilots and flight attendants to staff increased international flying, annual pay increases for all pilot and non-pilot non-management employees, and increases in group insurance rates, partially offset by a 3% average decrease in headcount primarily related to two voluntary workforce reduction programs.

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs. A $73 million increase primarily due to growth in our third party maintenance and repair business.

Passenger service. A $67 million increase primarily associated with (1) the increased cost of catering on international flights, (2) product upgrades in our Business Elite cabins and (3) unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates.

Profit sharing. A $158 million charge related to our broad-based employee profit sharing plan in 2007. We did not