Virgin Atlantic flight in emergency landing at airport as 'smoke fills cockpit'

07 January 2024 , 16:34

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A Virgin Atlantic plane (file image) (Image: Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)

A Virgin Atlantic plane has made an emergency landing at Manchester Airport after pilots reported "dense acrid smoke" in the cockpit.

Flight VS77 had taken off from Manchester Airport Barbados this afternoon, but was forced to return after declaring an emergency over the Irish Sea around 20 minutes into the journey. Aviation website AirLive reported there were unconfirmed reports of "smoke in the cockpit".

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: "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."

Firefighters were called after the plane landed at Manchester Airport at around 1.30pm. Three crews ensured the safety of the plane and its passengers, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue says.

The journey is illustrated in a flight map, available online

A spokesperson for the service told Manchester Evening News: "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.

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"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."

AirLive later updated its website, writing: "Pilots are reporting dense and acrid smell of smoke on air traffic control", before adding the flight had "landed safely on runway 05R, met by fire engines to cool the brakes".

Damon Wilkinson