Southwest Airlines has warned employees that it will have to make “difficult decisions” ahead to boost profits as the carrier faces pressure from activist Elliott Investment Management, which has sought leadership changes at the company.

Southwest Airlines’ chief operating officer has told staff there are “difficult decisions” ahead, as the troubled airline seeks to move back to profitability under pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management.

Steps Southwest Airlines has already announced, including ditching a 50-year history of not assigning seats, offering a premium product and beginning

Southwest Airlines has warned employees that it will soon make tough decisions as part of a strategy to restore profits and counter demands from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, Bloomberg News reported on Saturday.

The remarks come amid pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which has advocated for numerous changes at Southwest to improve its financial performance.

The faltering airline's leadership is preparing a series of cost-cutting measures to counter an activist investor's attempt to revamp the c-suite, according to a Bloomberg report.