Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $6,933, or 14%, to $55,019 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $48,086 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to the impact of a change in the composition of our aircraft fleet to an increased number of owned aircraft and aircraft under finance leases (for which the expense is recorded as amortization and interest expense). During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company also purchased three engines and a flight simulator. For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, there was an average of nineteen and eleven owned aircraft, respectively. Additionally, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 there were an average of seven finance leases; however, there were numerous removals and additions that impacted amortization expense.
Ground Handling. Ground handling expense increased $6,385, or 31%, to $26,981 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $20,596 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to the 40% increase in scheduled departures during the same time periods.
Landing Fees and Airport Rent. Landing fees and airport rent increased $9,470, or 30%, to $40,726 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $31,256 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase of $9,470 was driven by the 40% increase in scheduled departures for the year ended December 31, 2021. Additionally, a decrease in rates in 2021 for $1,040 and an airline relief credit of $1,416 offset against the departure volume increase.
Special Items, net. Special items, net was a benefit of $65,456 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and $64,563 for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Special items, net included in refundable tax credits related to employee retention under the CARES Act. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, Special items, net included $71,587 and $62,312 of funds granted under the CARES Act, respectively. These funds were to be used exclusively for the continuation of payments for salaries, wages, and benefits. The year ended December 31, 2021 included a charge of $6,963 related to net costs incurred to purchase six aircraft that were previously under operating leases. Our Cargo segment was allocated $18,400 of the amounts received under the CARES Act for the year ended December 31, 2021 and $10,721 for the year ended December 31, 2020, based on the respective segment salaries, wages, and benefits.
Other Operating, net. Other operating, net expense increased $22,862, or 47%, to $71,580 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $48,718 for the year ended December 31, 2020, mainly due to increased departures. The Passenger segment increase of $14,447 was primarily driven by the higher level of operations which resulted in higher crew and other employee travel costs, catering expenses, and other operational overhead costs. Our Cargo segment was responsible for $15,152 and $6,838 of our consolidated other operating, net expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, driven by overhead expenses as well as crew and employee travel costs. There was also an additional cost of approximately $1,105 due to becoming a public company, primarily related to insurance, legal and consulting fees.
Non-operating Income (Expense)
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $4,253, or 19%, to $26,326 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $22,073 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to debt issued for the acquisition of new aircraft, including new debt incurred in connection with the 2019-1 EETC, and the Delayed Draw Term Loan Facility.
Other, net. Other, net for the year ended December 31, 2021 was a net income of $14,624 primarily due to a credit of $16,400 for the adjustment of our TRA liability. The decrease in the TRA liability was mainly due to the receipt of a CARES Act PSP3 grant of $34,547, which extended the time period in which distributions made to shareholders are restricted (from March 31, 2022 to September 30, 2022), an increase in actual 2021 pre-tax income, and a decrease in forecasted 2022 pre-tax income. Partially offsetting this income was $1,763 in expenses related to secondary stock offerings that occurred in May and October 2021. Other, net for the year ended December 31, 2020, was a net expense of $371, primarily due to a vendor settlement.