Viet Nam’s aviation authority has decided to fine a Chinese passenger for insulting and threatening a crewmember on a Vietnam Airlines flight from Beijing to Ha Noi.

An airplane operated by Vietnam Airlines. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Hoa

The fine for Liu Jun, 48, was VND7.5 million ($3,300).

The in-flight incident happened on February 1. Liu, who had an economy ticket, left his seat and asked a crewmember to move him to business class.  As the crewmember denied his request, the passenger reportedly shouted, insulted and threatened to beat the crewmember, whose identity has not been disclosed.

Liu also threatened two other passengers who tried to calm him down.

He was fined after the plane landed at the Noi Bai Airport in Ha Noi.

China is one of the most important feeder markets for Viet Nam's tourism industry.

Arrivals from China in January increased 67.9% from a year ago to 247,621 visitors, accounting for a quarter of Viet Nam’s total international tourist number, according to the General Statistics Office.

The number of Chinese tourists hit 2.5 million last year, out of the total 10 million visitors, according to the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism.

(Source: VnExpress/International)