Recently, a netizen posted that during a Xiamen Airlines flight from Xining to Beijing, they were verbally abused by a neighboring passenger, and the conflict escalated to the point where they were "slapped and hit on the head." On August 30, a Xiamen Airlines staff member told reporters that the conflict reported by the netizen occurred on August 19. A flight attendant witnessed a middle-aged woman kicking the other passenger, and the police have intervened in the matter.

The reporter contacted the netizen involved, who said she is a college student. On the evening of August 19, she and her friend took Xiamen Airlines flight MF8180 from Xining to Beijing. Midway through the flight, a middle-aged woman changed seats and moved to the empty seat next to her, which led to a conflict.

Screenshot of passenger's post on social media

"My neighboring passenger repeatedly touched me and disturbed me. After I reminded them, they began verbally abusing me and my companions in public for an extended period. The passenger then got up and physically assaulted me, slapping me, hitting my head, kicking me in the stomach, and scratching my face," the netizen posted. The post stated that the incident caused tinnitus, dizziness, hearing loss, and facial abrasions, and that my companion was also injured. "I have reported the incident to the police and am pursuing legal action. I have also filed a formal complaint with Xiamen Airlines regarding the crew and security personnel's performance of their duties."

According to Flightradar24, Xiamen Airlines flight MF8180 took off from Xining Caojiabao Airport at 21:30 on August 19 and arrived at Beijing Daxing Airport at 23:32.

On August 30, a staff member from Xiamen Airlines told reporters that the conflict reported by netizens on August 19 did indeed occur, and that the onboard staff stopped it immediately upon discovering it. "When the staff discovered it, there was a physical altercation between the two parties, but we cannot currently verify the specific details described by netizens, such as 'slapping'."

Regarding netizens' complaints that "the body camera was not on during the security officer's intervention, and almost no footage was recorded," a Xiamen Airlines staff member explained to reporters that on that day, a flight attendant noticed the conflict first, and a security officer subsequently intervened. The flight attendant reported seeing a middle-aged woman "kick the other person." However, by the time the security officer intervened, the conflict had already ended, therefore the body camera did not record the incident. Currently, the police are involved in the matter.

The netizen involved told reporters that she called the police after landing at the airport on the day of the conflict, and the police took a statement from the other party. She was later informed by the police that they had found relevant witnesses and the case was still under investigation.

On the afternoon of the 30th, reporters contacted the Beijing Daxing International Airport Branch of the Capital Airport Public Security Bureau to inquire about the relevant situation, but have not yet received a response.

Xiamen Airlines explained that the aisle passenger initially requested a seat change because the passenger next to her was coughing. She was subsequently moved to sit next to the passenger who posted the online message. After the incident, flight attendants inquired about the situation from the passenger who posted the message and reassured her. They immediately moved the passenger who made the physical altercation to a seat in the back and informed her of the relevant laws regarding inappropriate behavior on board.

Xiamen Airlines emphasized that the airline will not tolerate passengers fighting or engaging in unilateral violence, as such behavior could affect flight safety during flight. Staff responded immediately upon discovering the incident. Regarding whether there had been a prior argument or shoving between the two parties, staff may not have witnessed the entire incident, but they intervened immediately and stopped it. An internal review confirmed that the onboard handling was appropriate.

As of now, the other passenger involved in the incident has not yet made a public statement.

(Source: Elephant News)