In preparation for the upcoming meeting, Southwest Airlines has stated its willingness to engage with Elliott, emphasising its commitment to driving sustained shareholder value. In a letter to investors, Elliott outlined its dissatisfaction with Southwest’s current leadership, including CEO Robert Jordan and Executive Chairman Gary Kelly. If the hedge fund reaches 10% ownership, it would be able to call a special shareholder meeting to vote on new board members. Elliott’s demands have found some support among other investors, with Artisan Partners publicly calling for a leadership change and encouraging the board to work with Elliott. Additionally, concerns among Southwest’s pilots about the need for bold leadership have further amplified the pressure on the airline’s management.