A Southwest Airlines pilot was removed from the cockpit ahead of a Wednesday flight from Georgia to Chicago and was booked on a charge of driving under the influence, a source familiar with the incident told CBS News.

The pilot allegedly smelled of alcohol and was removed by airport police before he flew Southwest Flight 3772 to Chicago from Savannah, Georgia, a source told CBS News. Photos shared online show cops removing him from the cockpit of the plane. Further details of what led to his arrest have not been released.

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.

The pilot was later charged with driving under the influence, records from the local sheriff's office show.

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

A Southwest Airlines pilot was arrested at a Georgia airport and accused of DUI on Wednesday. A Transportation Security Administration officer smelled alcohol on the pilot and informed law enforcement officials, who arrested him at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, a source familiar with the situation told NBC News.

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

The pilot, David Allsop, 52, was arrested at Savannah Hilton Head Airport Wednesday morning and has been removed from duty. The flight was delayed about five hours.

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

A Southwest Airlines flight bound for Chicago was delayed for multiple hours after a pilot was arrested and charged with DUI at an airport in Georgia, police said.

A Southwest flight was delayed for five hours Wednesday morning due to a pilot being arrested and charged with DUI, officials said.