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Activist financier Elliott threatens Southwest Airlines proxy defend management changes

Activist investor Elliott Investment Management on Monday cautioned of a proxy battle to promote leadership modifications at U.S. budget plan carrier Southwest Airlines .

In a letter to Southwest's board, Elliott stated while it is available to partnership, it plans to move expeditiously to give investors a direct say on the essential leadership modifications.

Southwest did not instantly react to a request for comments.

Elliott, understood for pushing modifications to enhance shareholder returns, has called for a reconstitution of Southwest's board with new, truly independent directors having know-how in airlines, client experience and technology.

The activist investor has likewise called for a management modification mentioning Southwest's disappointing financial results.

In its letter, Elliott repeated those needs, stating Southwest's leadership has actually lost the trust of its shareholders.

Elliott presently owns an 11% stake in the company, making it one of the largest investors.

Last week, Southwest said the activist investor had actually made filings with antitrust authorities that would permit it to obtain an even larger voting power as early as July 11. It triggered the business to adopt a poison pill, used by corporate boards to thwart hostile takeover quotes, to discourage Elliott from raising its stake.

Elliott said it is not seeking control of Southwest, but added the airline's board has put its own self-interest ahead of the business's by embracing the toxin tablet.

It likewise slammed the appointment of air travel industry veteran Rakesh Gangwal to Southwest's board, calling it an attempt on the part of the board to entrench itself and the current management group.

These actions ... demonstrate how exceptionally out of touch Southwest's board has actually become with shareholder belief and with the reality of the circumstance, Elliott stated in its letter.

Gangwal - who co-founded InterGlobe Air travel, the operator of India's biggest airline IndiGo - has likewise served on the boards of United States Airways Group, CarMax and Workplace Depot, to name a few.

Rakesh's know-how in travel innovation will be important as we continue to make investments that support our operations and tactical initiatives, said Gary Kelly, executive chairman of Southwest's board.

(source: Reuters)