Elliott takes nearly $2B stake in Southwest Airlines

By Reuters June 9, 2024 | 06:44 pm PT

A Southwest commercial airliner takes off from Las Vegas International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., Feb. 8, 2024. Photo by Reuters

Activist investor Elliott Investment Management has built a nearly $2 billion stake in Southwest Airlines and plans to push for changes aimed at reversing the airline's underperformance, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Elliott is one of Southwest's largest investors and plans to engage with the airline's management team, the report said.

Southwest and Elliott did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

The Dallas-based airline said in April it expected higher costs and slower-than-expected revenue growth as U.S. planemaker Boeing will now be able to deliver it just 20 aircraft this year.

Elliott, one of the world's most prominent investors, is known for pushing for changes at companies to boost shareholder returns.