The country's civil aviation regulator barred a pilot from flying for fighting with a crew member during a flight, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China on Monday.

On Feb 20, the pilot Zhang Dayong and a flight attendant from Donghai Airlines had a dispute during a flight from Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province to Xi'an in Northwest China's Shaanxi province. The quarrel escalated to a fight.

According to the administration, the airline has been suspended from applying for more flight time, routes or charted flights. The pilot's license has been revoked. The flight attendant received administrative punishment. The airline's administrative staff will be punished accordingly.

"Safety is the lifeline of the civil aviation industry. It is the top priority to ensure people's safety during flight," said Wu Shijie, deputy director of the administration's safety office, at a news conference on Monday.

On March 8, two days later after the incident, the administration's central and southern regional bureau announced it would carry out an inspection.