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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Southwest Airlines and Icelandair signed a strategic agreement on January 15 to allow travelers to connect between the two airlines’ networks, with sales and travel through Baltimore (BWI) beginning in February. The partnership will also provide connections to Iceland from Nashville (BNA) and Denver (DEN) later this year.

In September, the company slashed its flights from Atlanta, eliminating jobs, though staff were able to apply to work out of other bases.

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