Southwest Airlines to Lay Off 15% of Corporate Workforce in Cost-Cutting Push
Photo Credit: A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737. Vincenzo Pace Vincenzo Pace
Skift Take
The layoffs are the first in Southwest’s 53-year-old history as the carrier faces pressure to boost its bottom line following a bitter battle with activist investor Elliott Investment Management.
Southwest Airlines announced Monday that it plans to lay off about 15% of its corporate workforce, or about 1,750 people.
The carrier said the cuts are "almost entirely" on corporate overhead and leadership positions. Eleven senior positions — vice president and above — and 15% of Southwest's senior management committee would be eliminated as part of the restructuring, the company said.
“This decision is unprecedented in our 53-year history, and change re
