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.

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.

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

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

Southwest is disappointed that DOT chose to file a lawsuit over two flights that occurred more than two years ago," a spokesperson for the airline said.

The airline said in a statement that an employee was "removed from duty" following a "situation" at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport on Jan. 15

The DOT filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines, citing a pattern of chronic delays, as the government pushes for stricter accountability.

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

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

The report says the pilot, identified as David Allsop, 52, had “a strong odor of what seemed to be alcohol” and “bloodshot, watery eyes."

The pilot, a 52-year-old from Bedford who has been a licensed pilot since 2008, was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) after he allegedly drunkenly reported to a flight assignment at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah, Georgia. Authorities said that the pilot reeked of alcohol when he showed up in the cockpit.