An irate passenger severely injured a female customer service officer of Juneyao Airlines in an attack at Shenzhen's Baoan International Airport, Sohu News reported Wednesday.

Pictures circulated on the internet showed the employee of the Shanghai-based carrier lying on the floor after the attack Tuesday, with a pool of blood near her head.

It is believed that she was attacked with a sign placed on the service counter.

There were visible cracks on the sign, which seem to suggest the woman was hit violently with it.

The airline refused to disclose personal details of its employee in a statement issued at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, citing an ongoing investigation as the reason.

Weibo users in the mainland said a grumpy passenger approached the airline counter to help a friend get a printed copy of a flight itinerary.

The passenger lost control when he was asked for the original identity document of the traveler and started attacking the employee, they said.

The attacker was arrested and detained.

Some netizens said airlines should consider setting up protective panels for their staff whenever possible.