Elliott Management Criticizes Southwest Airlines Changes

Southwest Airlines has announced significant changes to its business strategy, including the abandonment of its long-standing open seating policy, introduction of premium seating, and the launch of red-eye flights. However, activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which recently acquired a $2 billion stake in the airline, dismissed these initiatives as 'too little, too late' and called for a complete overhaul of the senior leadership team, targeting CEO Bob Jordan and Chairman Gary Kelly for replacement. Elliott criticized the proposed changes as insufficient, highlighting the airline's 50% decline in share value over the past three years and a history of operational missteps. The investor's discontent stems from a belief that the current leadership has failed to adapt to customer preferences and improve financial performance. Elliott has also pushed for a business review to enhance shareholder value and proposed a shareholder rights plan to safeguard against hostile takeovers. These developments indicate a brewing conflict between Southwest's management and its investors as the company attempts to regain market confidence.