FLIGHT ALERT Mid-air drama as easyJet plane ‘with hundreds of holidaymakers on board’ forced to turn back to Gatwick Airport

AN easyJet flight which was bound for Tenerife has been forced to turn back to Gatwick after a reported hydraulic failure in mid-air.

EasyJet flight U28033, which had up to 244 passengers on board, hailed the 7700 emergency code as it was flying over France this morning

3

The easyJet flight to Tenerife is said to have suffered hydraulic failure while flying over France (file photo)Credit: Getty

3

The plane was heading towards Spanish airspace, according to Flight Radar 24, when the emergency happenedCredit: flightradar24

The Airbus A321neo reportedly had a hydraulic failure at around 8.40am, according to Flight Emergency.

It was put into a holding pattern at 6,000ft in order to burn its fuel before landing - which can sometimes be needed to lose weight or because of maintenance issues. 

A spokeswoman for Gatwick Airport said: “The aircraft has landed safely and no operational impact at the airport.”

Flight radar shows U28033 turning around over France and heading back to the UK this morning.

A spokesperson for easyJet said: "We can confirm that the captain of flight EZY8033 from London Gatwick to Tenerife took the decision to return to Gatwick as a precaution, due to a technical issue.

"The Captain performed a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures and passengers have disembarked normally.

“We are arranging for an alternative aircraft to operate the flight to Tenerife and would like to thank customers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of the delay.

"The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is our highest priority and easyJet operates its aircraft in strict compliance with manufacturer guidelines.”In May this year, a "drunk" Brit was arrested after brawling onboard his flight to Alicante and trying to open the plane's door mid-flight.

Spanish cops were waiting on the tarmac and got the 28-year-old who was reportedly so intoxicated he didn't realise the plane was still in the air.The sky-high chaos happened on board an EasyJet flight from London Gatwick to Alicante-Elche in Spain.

Also in May, Gatwick's South terminal was evacuated with scores of frustrated passengers forced outside.

Holidaymakers at the popular airport were told to leave after a "fire alarm" went off.

But "no fire" was found after the Airport Fire Service team swept the scene.

3

The captain turned the plane around and returned to GatwickC