Restructuring and Other Items (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER ITEMS

The following table shows charges recorded in restructuring and other items on our Consolidated Statements of Operations:



	Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)	2011			2010		2009
Facilities and fleet	$	135		$	202	$	13
Severance and related costs	100			15		119
Intangible asset impairments (see Note 5)	50			—		—
Gain on divestiture of slots (see Note 5)	(43		)	—		—
Merger-related items	—			233		275
Total restructuring and other items	$	242		$	450	$	407

Facilities and Fleet. During 2011, we recorded charges related to our facilities consolidation and fleet assessments. In 2010, we recorded asset impairment charges related to the Comair fleet reduction initiative and our retired dedicated freighter aircraft. For additional information related to the Comair fleet reduction initiative, see Note 2.

Severance and Related Costs. During 2011, we recorded charges associated primarily with voluntary workforce reduction programs to align staffing with expected future capacity. In 2009, we recorded charges associated primarily with voluntary workforce reduction programs, including special termination benefits related to retiree healthcare. We do not expect to record any additional material charges related to these severance initiatives.

Merger-Related Items. Merger-related items are costs associated with Northwest and the integration of Northwest operations into Delta.

The following table shows the balances and activity for restructuring charges:



	Severance and related costs									Lease restructuring
(in millions)	2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009
Liability at beginning of period	$	20		$	69		$	50		$	85		$	74		$	54
Additional costs and expenses	100			15			113			—			20			13
Other	—			—			—			—			14			19
Payments	(74		)	(64		)	(94		)	(21		)	(23		)	(12		)
Liability at end of period	$	46		$	20		$	69		$	64		$	85		$	74

- Definition

The entire disclosure for restructuring and related activities. Description of restructuring activities such as exit and disposal activities, include facts and circumstances leading to the plan, the expected plan completion date, the major types of costs associated with the plan activities, total expected costs, the accrual balance at the end of the period, and the periods over which the remaining accrual will be settled.

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