Staff members wait for a landing plane at Wudangshan Airport in Shiyan, central China's Hubei Province, March 29, 2020. Domestic passenger flights resumed operations in Hubei Province, which was once hit hard by COVID-19 pandemic, except in the Wuhan Tianhe International Airport.(Photo: Xinhua)

China civil regulator revoked the pilot's license after the pilot and flight attendant from Donghai Airlines assaulting each other during a flight, new routes application will also be suspended for the carrier.

Wu Shijie, official from Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) made the announcement during a Monday media briefing.  He said the penalties include suspending new routes application for the carrier, revoking pilot license, and also the regulator will have a strict accountability of relevant units and responsible personnel.

Crew members of DZ6297 including the captain and flight attendant were barred from flying after being part of the brawl incident, said Donghai Airline on Monday due to the negative social impacts. Donghai also dismissed and fined several vice presidents and management staff.

On March 6, social media exposed that the pilot and flight attendant assaulting each other on a flight of DZ6297 flying from Nantong to Xi'an on February 20, resulting the flight attendant's arm was broken, while the pilot lost a tooth.

Donghai Airlines issued a statement on the second day after the postings went viral on Weibo, confirming the assault and that the pair had been suspended from their job.

CAAC said it will adhere to the strictest supervision, the strictest responsibility, and the strictest punishment, and have zero tolerance for potential safety hazards to ensure the safe flying.

Global Times