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.

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

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

A Southwest Airlines pilot was arrested shortly before takeoff at a Georgia airport after he allegedly showed up to work intoxicated, police say.

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

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

(ABC 6 News) — The U.S. Department of Transportation says it is prepared to take airlines to court over flight delays. The agency has filed a lawsuit against Southwest, accusing the airline of illegally operating chronically delayed flights and disrupting passengers’ travel plans.

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