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

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

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

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

A Southwest Airlines pilot was removed from the cockpit and arrested for drunkenness just before a flight from Georgia to Chicago, causing a four-hour delay.