Southwest Airlines wants to cut costs by halting some hiring and most summer internships.

“We are limiting discretionary costs, including holding the South West rallies for this year, as we focus on reducing costs,” South West Spokesperson he told FOX Business. “We are also pausing most summer internship positions (honoring offers already made) and pausing all internal and external non-contractual hiring. We will continue to evaluate hiring needs on an ongoing basis to determine when it makes sense to the company resumes hiring.”

Southwest CEO Bob Jordan told employees in a company memo that “every dollar counts as we continue to fight to return to excellent financial performance.” The Wall Street Journal informed

Ramp workers load luggage onto a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 at Baltimore-Washington Airport in Maryland in April. (Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)

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Jordan said the “timing” for the demonstrations “isn’t right when we’re struggling for cost discipline and focusing on a leaner organization that’s closer to work, closer to the front line and more close to our customers,” according to the note. .

Southwest gatherings are events that the company holds for employees each year. More than 10,000 employees went to the three the carrier had in 2023, according to a February 2024 Instagram post from Jordan.

Travelers use a Southwest Airlines check-in kiosk at Boston’s Logan International Airport. (Scott Eisen/via Bloomberg/Getty Images)

last fall, the bearer said it would be to “minimize hiring, optimize scheduling efficiency, capitalize on supply chain opportunities and improve corporate efficiency” while implementing a “multi-year” plan to improve its finances.

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The effort, presented at Southwest’s investor day in September, aims to give the company a rate savings of $500 million by 2027, according to the airline.

During the investor day, Southwest also detailed the big changes it has in the works.

A Southwest Airlines plane at LaGuardia Airport on February 4, 2024 in New York City. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The airline said it would start assigning seats, “evolve” its boarding process and introduce premium seats. It will also start working red eye flights in February to “maximize aircraft utilization” and shorten aircraft response time between flights.

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Meanwhile, it continued to maintain its long-standing policy of allowing two free checked bags.

The company reported 132 million small plane passengers during the first three quarters of the year.