Atlanta Airport Facing Criticism for Social Media Post About Deadly Explosion

Two workers were killed and another was seriously injured during an accident at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and now the airport is coming under fire for a social media post about the tragedy.

According to news reports, the workers were killed Tuesday morning while working at Delta Air Lines’ Atlanta Technical Operations Maintenance facility, which is located at the airport. The incident appears to have taken place at Delta’s wheel and brake shop and the deaths were related to a tire explosion, ABC 7 reported.

WSB-TV Atlanta subsequently obtained a copy of a note about the incident that was sent to employees by Delta leaders.

“I’m deeply saddened to share that three TechOps team members were involved in an accident that took place early this morning in Atlanta,” Delta TechOps President John Laughter wrote in the statement. “We are extending our full support to their families at this difficult time and conducting an investigation to determine what happened. This news is heartbreaking for all of us.”

Officials at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, however, handled the incident slightly differently.

Sometime after the incident occurred a tweet was sent from the airport’s official X account that integrated Delta’s branding slogan “Keep Climbing” into the condolence message.

According to a report from OutKick, the since deleted message on X read in part: ”We send condolences to our partners as they continue to ‘Keep Climbing’ during this difficult time.”

The choice to use Delta’s branding slogan during an incredibly sad moment, when two individuals perished and another was seriously injured, met with swift backlash on social media.

“Some corporate advice: Have one person in every decision-making room whose job is to take the position of "No" and you have to make the case for "Yes" For instance: Should we work corporate slogans into the "prayers for dead employees" post?” wrote one X user in response.

Another added: “PIO pro tip: Don’t be an idiot. Using your corporate slogan when people died is a WILD choice.”

It wasn’t long before many other X users also joined the chorus, with still another adding “Our prayers are with the families affected by the tragic incident at Burger King this morning. We send condolences to our partners and hope that they’ll “eat like a king who’s on a budget” and “have it their way” during this difficult time.”

Others simply said “Yikes. Lose the branding and repost.”

Airport officials have not issued a statement about the deleted X post. The victims of the tragic incident have not been identified. The Federal Aviation Administration has been made aware of the accident, according to WSB-TV.

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