For the first time in its 53 years of operation, national air carrier Southwest Airlines is laying off corporate employees, including many in leadership positions.

The 1,750 employees getting axed represent 15% of all corporate employees for the airline. Among them are 11 people in senior leadership positions of vice president or higher, representing 15% of Southwest’s senior management committee, the company said in a release Monday.

Across the whole company, Southwest had more than 72,000 full-time employees as of Dec. 31, 2024.

Excluding money paid out in severance and post-employment benefits, Southwest said it expects to have $210 million in savings over the rest of 2025 and around $300 million in savings in 2026 as a result of the layoffs.

“This decision is unprecedented in our 53-year history, and change requires that we make difficult decisions. … I’m grateful to all Southwest Employees who have shared in our legendary history and to those that will guide us into the next era of Southwest Airlines,” Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said.

In addition to saving money, the moves are also meant to streamline the company.

“With the best intentions, the growth of our leadership and noncontract functions have outpaced our operation’s growth for many years,” Mr. Jordan said according to Chron.com.

The company had annual profits for 47 years straight until 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The New York Times. Since then, Southwest has again had annual profits each year and remains one of four U.S. air carriers to have never filed for bankruptcy protection.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.