Holidaymakers in search of winter sun found themselves plunged into a nightmare after the cockpit of their jet from Manchester to Barbados reportedly filled with smoke.
The Virgin Atlantic A330-300, registration G-VKSS, took off from Manchester Airport at around 1pm before it issued a squawk emergency call 20 minutes later.
Flight VS77 then turned around and returned to the airport during its journey over the Irish sea en route to the Barbados capital Bridgetown, reporting a technical issue.
Pilots are said to have informed air traffic controllers of ‘dense and acrid smell of smoke’ as they turned the jet around.
They brought it back onto the ground safely at around 1.50pm, where it was met by several fire engines.
Virgin Atlantic jet G-VKSS (pictured in May 2017) took off from Manchester Airport at 1pm on Sunday only to turn around as the pilots reported smoke in the cockpit
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson told aircraft news website AirLive: ‘The VS77 from Manchester to Barbados has returned to Manchester due to a technical issue.
‘The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
‘We’ll ensure our customers can complete their travel plans and keep them updated directly on next steps.’
Three fire engines met the airplane on the runway, according to The Sun.
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson told the paper: ‘At just after 1.30pm today (Sunday), firefighters were called to an incident involving an aircraft making an emergency landing at Manchester Airport.
‘Three fire engines from Wythenshawe and Stockport, the Technical Response Unit from Ashton and the Command Support Unit from Hyde arrived quickly at the scene.
‘Working alongside Manchester Airport fire personnel, firefighters were on standby for the aircraft’s arrival, which landed safely.
‘Our crews were in attendance for approximately one and a half hours.’
This is a developing news story – more to follow.