Delta’s CIO Rahul Samant Retires After Leading Tech Transformation

Rahul Samant, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Delta Airlines, has announced his retirement after ten years of dedicated service. Effective March 1, Samant has been instrumental in leading Delta’s technology transformation during his tenure. His departure marks a significant transition for the airline.

Key Contributions of Rahul Samant

During his decade at Delta, Samant played a crucial role in numerous initiatives:

• Implemented secure and reliable IT services across the organization.
• Fostered a culture of innovation among employees.
• Developed future technology leaders within the company.
• Migrated Delta’s data and systems to a cloud environment.
• Established a new data center.
• Formed a world-class information security team.
• Led the initial rollout of Delta’s AI capabilities, including Delta Concierge.
• Enhanced technology reliability and resiliency for customers and frontline employees.

These achievements have propelled Delta to the forefront of technology and innovation in the airline industry.

Amala Duggirala Takes the Helm

Following Samant’s retirement, Delta has appointed Amala Duggirala as its new Chief Digital & Technology Officer. Duggirala will begin her role on January 12 and will oversee both the digital and technology departments.

Background of Amala Duggirala

Duggirala comes to Delta from USAA, where she served as the Executive Vice President and CIO. Her extensive experience also includes leadership roles at Regions Bank and ACI Worldwide. She is recognized for her:

• Strategic and long-term planning abilities.
• Technical expertise.

Duggirala is committed to Delta’s core values, emphasizing the importance of people in the process of innovation. In her new role, she will manage the company’s digital products and technology strategies. Eric Phillips, the Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, will report directly to her.

Future Goals and Vision

Amala Duggirala’s leadership is expected to unify Delta’s commercial digital initiatives with its technology framework. This alignment is crucial for accelerating Delta’s evolution into a technology-focused consumer brand.

As Delta prepares for its next century of service, the company thanks Rahul Samant for his decade of leadership. With Duggirala at the helm, Delta is well-positioned for continued success and innovation in the aviation industry.