Southwest Airlines said on Monday that it is slashing 15% of its corporate workforce, or 1,750 employees.
The cuts are the first major layoffs in Southwest's 53-year history and the airline's latest response to the company's financial woes as its profits plunge.
The carrier said the layoffs will help the company save about $210 million in 2025 — excluding severance packages and post-employment benefits, which could cost the company $60 to $80 million — and around $300 million in 2026.
Southwest president and CEO Bob Jordan said the severances would take effect in late April and that impacted workers would keep their pay, benefits, and bonuses until then.
Elliott Investment Management, an activist firm that took a stake in Southwest in June, has been pushing for changes at the carrier, including a restructuring of its board and updates to its business model.
Southwest said in July that it plans to end its long-standing open-seating policy to generate more seating revenue. The company also reduced flight crew positions in Atlanta last year to cut costs.
Southwest isn't the only budget airline to take cost-cutting measures in a changing industry.
Spirit Airlines, for example, said in July it would start bundling previously a-la-carte items like snacks and checked bags to target premium passengers.
JetBlue Airways said the same month that it would delay delivering more than 40 jets to the airline's fleet until 2030 or later.
Low-cost competitor Frontier Airlines has similarly made changes, like adding a new business-class-like cabin with a blocked middle seat to lure in more customers.
Read Southwest CEO Bob Jordan's full message to employees on Monday:
Are you one of the Southwest employees who was laid off? If so, reach out to Business Insider Senior Aviation Reporter Taylor Rains on a non-work device at trains@businessinsider.com.
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