Activist investment firm looks to take out Southwest's CEO with $1.9B stake
DALLAS — Activist shareholder Elliott Investment Management has bought a $1.9 billion stake in Southwest Airlines and is seeking to force out the CEO of the airline, which has struggled with operational and financial problems.
Shares in the airline rose 8% in afternoon trading Monday, on pace for the biggest one-day increase in four years.
In a letter to Southwest's board, the investment firm complained that Southwest's stock price has dropped more than 50% in the last three years.
The firm said Southwest failed to evolve, hurting its ability to compete with other carriers. Elliot blamed the Dallas-based carrier's massive flight cancellations in December 2022 on what it described as the airline's outdated software and operational processes.
"Poor execution and leadership's stubborn unwillingness to evolve the Company's strategy have led to deeply disappointing results for shareholders, employees and customers alike," the investment firm said in the letter, dated Monday.
Southwest CEO Robert Jordan "has delivered unacceptable financial and operational performance quarter after quarter," the letter read. It said Jordan and former CEO Gary Kelly, now the airline's executive chairman, "are not up to the task of modernizing Southwest."
Elliott is calling for executives from outside the company to replace Jordan and Kelly, and for "significant" changes on the board, including new independent directors with experience at other airlines.
Southwest said it was contacted by Elliott on Sunday and looked forward "to better understanding their views on our company."
"The Southwest Board of Directors is confident in our CEO and management's ability to execute against the company's strategic plan to drive long-term value for all shareholders, safely and reliably serve our customers and deliver on our commitments to all of our stakeholders," a spokesperson said in a statement.
Monday, Southwest Airlines said it maintains an open dialogue with its Shareholders and values their perspectives related to enhancing Shareholder value.
"Our Board and Executive Leadership Team are thoughtfully reviewing Elliott's letter and presentation and look forward to further conversations with Elliott to better understand its view on the Company," the company said in a statement. "We are confident that Southwest Airlines has the right strategy, the right plan and the right team in place to drive long-term value for our Shareholders. We are focused on restoring our industry-leading financial performance, the successful execution of our multi-faceted Tactical Action Plan to improve operational performance announced in the first quarter of 2023, alongside recent technology investments and operational resiliency programs that led to the operation of 99% of scheduled flights in first quarter 2024."
For years, Southwest appealed to cost-conscious flyers by not charging fees for a checked bag or changing a reservation. Its planes don't have a premium cabin. Its closest rivals dropped change fees during the pandemic, however, and they are winning over upscale travelers with better seats and amenities.
In April, when Southwest reported a $231 million first-quarter loss, Jordan seemed to bend to those market pressures by announcing that Southwest was considering changes to its boarding and seating policies.
Savanthi Syth, an airline analyst for Raymond James Financial, said Elliott was likely attracted by Southwest's well-known brand, leading position at many airports and strong balance sheet, among other attributes. She suggested that necessary changes shouldn't be that hard to achieve.
Southwest grew rapidly coming out of the pandemic, adding service to 18 more cities. Syth said Southwest has recognized the need to scale back growth, although six or eight months too late, resulting in higher costs.
The airline had little choice in trimming its growth: It can't get all the jets it ordered because of production cutbacks at Boeing since a door plug blew out of a 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight in January.
Southwest carries the most passengers within the United States, although Delta, United and American — all of which have more extensive international routes — are much larger by revenue. Southwest earned a profit for 47 straight years — an unmatched record in the airline business —until the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020.
Southwest reported record revenue of $26.1 billion last year, but its $465 million profit was down from the previous two years and about one-tenth of Delta's profit.
Delta and United have emerged from the pandemic as by far the most profitable U.S. airlines, and that shows up in their relative stock performance. At the close of trading Friday, Southwest shares were down 52% from three years earlier – about the same as American. But Delta shares gained more than 9% in that span, while United shares dipped but only around 7%.
The Wall Street Journal first reported Elliott's stake in Southwest.