SPECIAL ITEMS, NET (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021


	Year Ended December 31,
	2021		2020		2019
CARES Act grant recognition (see Note 3)	$	(71,587)	$	(62,312)	$	—
CARES Act employee retention credit (see Note 3)		(848)		(2,328)		—
Aircraft lease buy-out expense ⁽¹⁾		6,963		—		—
Contractual obligations for retired technology ⁽²⁾		—		—		7,578
Sale of airport slot rights ⁽³⁾		—		—		(1,200)
Other ⁽⁴⁾		16		77		714
Total Special Items, net	$	(65,456)	$	(64,563)	$	7,092

(1)

Six aircraft were purchased in 2021 that were previously under operating leases. Aircraft lease buy-out expense represents the net impact of these transactions, including the associated lease termination costs, write-off of previously capitalized maintenance deposits, and the write-off of over-market liabilities (see Note 6).

(2)	Represents contractual obligations for retired technology. In connection with implementing Sun Country’s updated reservations systems, the Company incurred obligations under the contracts for existing systems that were being phased out ahead of their scheduled contract terms.

(3)	Represents proceeds from the sale of unused airport slot rights. Sun Country does not hold any other remaining airport slot rights; therefore, this gain does not reflect the Company’s continuing operations.

(4)	The 2021 and 2020 costs were related to relocation of flight attendant bases due to the closure of the Portland and Las Vegas bases, and the 2019 costs were related to exiting the Company’s prior headquarters building.