Manchester Airport flight to Barbados makes emergency landing after 'smoke' fills Virgin Atlantic cockpit

A Manchester Airport flight heading for Barbados was forced to make an emergency landing after "smoke" filled the cockpit. The Virgin Atlantic jet had been in the air for just 20 minutes when it issued a squawk emergency over the Irish Sea - indicating a serious issue on board.

Flight VS77 to Bridgetown was then forced to return to Manchester early on Sunday afternoon. 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." The flight was cancelled with customers rebooked on alternative flights.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and AirLive later updated its website saying "pilots are reporting dense and acrid smell of smoke on air traffic control" adding that the flight had "landed safely on runway 05R, met by fire engines to cool the brakes". Transponder data reported by FlightRadar suggested the plane flew over Rhyl in Wales at an altitude of approximately 9,000 feet – half the altitude it was at when it flew out in the opposite direction.