Citybeat Radio, 96.7-102.5fm

Posted: February 7, 2012

A passenger jet which turned back after developing technical problems has landed safely at Belfast International Airport.

Air traffic control company Nats said the Thomas Cook plane touched down without incident.

The plane had taken off from the same airport earlier on Tuesday morning bound for Tenerife.

It developed problems shortly afterwards and had been circling over Lough Neagh to lose fuel.

An airport spokeswoman said the airport was put on “full emergency standby”.

Thomas Cook said the aircraft had 175 people on board.

A PSNI spokeswoman said: “At approximately 10.13am this morning police responded to reports from Belfast International Airport that an aircraft had reported difficulties shortly after taking off.

“Emergency services were put on stand-by. However, the plane was able to land safely at the airport at approximately 11.30am. There have been no reports of any injuries.”

The plane was an Airbus A320 which had left Belfast at 9.40am. The replacement flight is due to leave Belfast at 3pm.

A spokesman for Thomas Cook Airlines said: “We’re pleased to confirm that flight TCX 8126, which turned back after developing technical problems, has now landed safely at Belfast International Airport.”