Southwest Airlines Faces Investor Pressure for Leadership Change

Activist investor Elliott Management calls for a special shareholder meeting to overhaul Southwest's board and strategy.

Elliott Management, holding an 11% stake in Southwest Airlines, plans to call a special shareholder meeting to replace the board and CEO Bob Jordan.
Southwest's current leadership is criticized for outdated business practices and slow adoption of new technologies and premium services.
The airline has announced plans to introduce assigned seating, extra-legroom seats, and redeye flights to attract higher-margin travelers.
Southwest's COO Andrew Watterson warned employees of 'difficult decisions' ahead, including potential changes in flight routes and operations.
Despite efforts to revamp its strategy, Southwest's financial performance lags behind competitors, prompting calls for more drastic measures.