A Virgin Atlantic plane bound for Barbados was forced to make an emergency landing at Manchester Airport today after the cockpit filled with “dense smoke” just minutes after takeoff.
The incident occurred on Flight VS77, which had departed from Manchester Airport for Barbados. Approximately 20 minutes into the journey, the plane declared an emergency over the Irish Sea and initiated its return to Manchester.
Upon landing, the aircraft was met by three fire engines, and emergency services were on high alert as they assessed the situation. Reports from aviation website AirLive mentioned unconfirmed reports of “smoke in the cockpit” and stated that “pilots are reporting dense and acrid smell of smoke on air traffic control.
Virgin Atlantic confirmed the incident, stating, “The VS77 from Manchester to Barbados has returned to Manchester due to a technical issue. The safety and security of our customers and crew are always our top priority, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. We’ll ensure our customers can complete their travel plans and keep them updated directly on the next steps.”
The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service reported that at just after 1.30pm, firefighters responded to the emergency landing incident at Manchester Airport. Thankfully, there were no immediate reports of injuries among the passengers and crew.
The exact cause of the smoke in the cockpit is currently under investigation, and further details regarding the incident are awaited. Virgin Atlantic is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of its passengers and will continue to provide updates on the situation as it unfolds.
