Southwest Airlines’ share price was rising in pre-market hours as the airline announced plans to cut 1,750 corporate jobs, marking the first mass layoffs in its 53-year history. The cuts, representing 15% of the airline’s corporate workforce,

Southwest Airlines said on Monday it would cut about 15% of corporate jobs, or about 1,750 roles, as the U.S. budget carrier looks to reduce costs and streamline its organizational structure.

Southwest (NYSE: LUV) has prided itself avoiding mass layoffs since its founding in 1967, contributing to an acclaimed work culture created by late former CEO and industry visionary Herb Kelleher that kept employees coming back for decades. The abrupt changes have raised questions about the airline's new direction.

The company said the cuts, the first round of broad layoffs in the airline’s 53-year history, would affect mostly corporate employees.

Southwest Airlines said it will slash 15% of its corporate workforce -- the first mass layoffs in the company's decades-long history -- as the airline looks to cut costs.

The low-cost air carrier said the cuts are mostly focused on corporate and leadership roles. Some 1,750 employees are expected to be laid off. Southwest Airlines has announced that it will lay off 15% of its employees in an effort to reduce costs and maximize its efficiencies.