Delta Air Lines for the December quarter posted a $7 million net profit,

including $231 million in special charges, down from a $425 million profit a year earlier. Total passenger revenue increased 3 percent and passenger unit revenue increased 4.3 percent on a 2.3 percent yield improvement. Unit costs jumped 9 percent primarily due to higher fuel prices. Though Delta during the quarter began producing jet fuel at its Trainer Refinery, Hurricane Sandy "negatively impacted the refinery start-up," resulting in a $63 million loss for the quarter, according to the company. The airline also reported a $75 million revenue decline resulting from the storm. Full-year 2012 results included net income that increased 18 percent from a year earlier to just over $1 billion and $31.8 billion in total passenger revenue, up 5 percent from 2011.