The lawsuit alleges Southwest illegally operated chronically delayed flights and disrupted passengers' travel plans.

A Southwest Airlines pilot suspected of being drunk was removed from the cockpit and arrested just before takeoff Wednesday at a Georgia airport, according to airline officials and authorities in the state.

Southwest Airlines confirmed the pilot had been removed from duty and apologized to customers whose travel plans were disrupted.

Passengers had boarded the Southwest Airlines flight from Savannah, Georgia, to Chicago on Wednesday when police took the pilot away in handcuffs. An incident report says police at the Savannah airport tracked down the 52-year-old pilot after someone reported he appeared to be under the influence during crew check-in.

A Southwest Airlines pilot was arrested at a Georgia airport and accused of DUI on Wednesday. A Transportation Security Administration officer smelled alcohol on the pilot and informed law enforcement officials, who arrested him at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, a source familiar with the situation told NBC News.

The Department of Transportation is suing Southwest Airlines, accusing it of operating two “chronically delayed flights” in 2022 that resulted in 180 flight disruptions.

David Allsop, 52, is charged with driving under the influence, according to Chatham County Sheriff's office jail records.

In the midst of the airline’s financial woes, the company just revealed that it will be making some major changes in an effort to cut costs. According to a new report from CNBC, Southwest Airlines is putting a freeze on corporate hiring and promotions.

A lawsuit filed against Southwest alleges the airline operated multiple “chronically delayed” flights affecting thousands of passengers.

The Transportation Department said in a lawsuit that two of the airline’s routes were consistently delayed in violation of federal rules.

As part of a regulatory crackdown on “chronically” late flights, federal transport regulators are suing the carrier after reaching deals with two others.

President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday sued Southwest Airlines , accusing the carrier of illegally operating multiple chronically delayed flights and disrupting passengers’ travel.