Dallas-based Southwest Airlines announced this week that it will lay off 1,750 employees, marking the first workforce reduction in its 53-year history.
According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice filed with the Texas Workforce Commission, 626 employees will be affected at the airline’s Dallas headquarters and a maintenance facility on Shorecrest Drive. The layoffs will begin on April 22, and affected employees will be eligible for a severance package if they sign and submit a separation agreement. The notice states that this action is permanent and will not result in the closure of any facility, and employees will not have the right to displace other workers.
Among the affected positions are 22 senior technology analysts, 19 senior technology project managers, 10 technology analysts, and several quality assurance auditors and specialists. While the WARN notice lists 626 positions, it remains unclear where the remaining layoffs will occur. Southwest stated that the cuts are “focused almost entirely on corporate overhead and leadership positions,” representing about 15% of corporate jobs.
Southwest Airlines says the layoffs are expected to save the company $300 million annually. CEO Bob Jordan acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but emphasized the need for efficiency. In a statement, he said the company has spent years expanding leadership and corporate roles beyond operational needs and must now restructure to better support frontline employees. He added that while this move is painful, it is necessary to ensure the airline remains efficient and agile.
Southwest, known for its strong company culture and commitment to employees, has never resorted to mass layoffs before, making this announcement a significant turning point. Those affected will have the option to receive severance packages, though details on additional job placement assistance have not been provided. Despite the layoffs, Southwest assures that its day-to-day operations and frontline employees will continue serving customers without disruption.
