Southwest Airlines has announced it will be laying off 1,750 corporate employees, which is about 15 percent of its corporate workforce, in an effort to save money and restructure its business, with eleven senior leadership positions from Vice President and above also being eliminated.

Southwest Airlines Co. will cut about 1,750 jobs in its leadership ranks, a dramatic step to reduce expenses that mark the carrier’s first layoffs.

For the first time in its 53-year history, Southwest Airlines announced mass layoffs that are specifically affecting its corporate workforce. Southwest plans to cut 1,750 jobs, or 15% of its corporate leg.