Southwest Airlines slashes thousands of jobs in first-ever mass layoff... sparking routes could be cut

Southwest Airlines plans to cut 15 percent of its corporate workforce in a bid to cut costs.

The layoffs - a first in the airline's 53-year history -  will slash around about 1,750 jobs.

The cuts make a shift in strategy following last year's battle with activist hedge fund Elliott Investment Management. To keep Elliot at bay, bosses agreed to cut costs and find new ways to make money, such as charging for seating.