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.

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

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.

Southwest Airlines stock fell Thursday after the Department of Transportation sued the airline over a pair of "chronically delayed flights."

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

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

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

The U.S. Transportation Department is suing Southwest Airlines and has fined Frontier Airlines over "chronically" delayed flights, disrupting passengers' travel and plans.

A Southwest Airlines pilot has been arrested by airport police, accused of driving under the influence before a scheduled flight. The airline confirmed the pilot has been removed from duty. This incident comes as the Department of Transportation sues Southwest over persistent flight delays.