A ramp agent directs a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 airplane in to a gate at Baltimore-Washington Airport. Photo: Getty Images

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.

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.

Southwest Airlines confirmed the pilot had been removed from duty and apologized to customers whose travel plans were disrupted.

On Friday, Southwest Airlines Co (LUV) stock saw a decline, ending the day at $32.1 which represents a decrease of $-0.06 or -0.19% from the prior close of $32.16. The stock opened at $32 and touched a low of $31.86 during the day, reaching a high of $32.33. The volume of shares traded was 10.28 million exceeding the average volume of 6.96 million.

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

The U.S. Department of Transportation sued Southwest Airlines Wednesday, alleging it illegally operates flights that are persistently delayed, harming passengers and fair competition in the airline industry.

A Southwest Airlines flight was delayed multiple hours this week after a pilot was reportedly arrested and charged with DUI before takeoff in Georgia.

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.

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

The Transportation Department is stepping up enforcement of persistent flight delays with a civil lawsuit against Southwest Airlines and a fine against Frontier Airlines.

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.