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.

Southwest Airlines' COO told staff that the company will have to make "difficult decisions" to boost the carrier's profits. The airline has already said it will switch to assigned seating, start red-eye flights and sell seats with extra legroom .

Southwest Airlines is making major changes, including assigned seating and network adjustments, as it seeks profitability under pressure from Elliott Investment Management.

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

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.

Southwest Airlines Co. has warned employees that it will announce some tough decisions in coming days under a plan to restore profits and help fend off changes being demanded by activist Elliott Investment Management.

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.