Jet makes emergency landing

The jet is undergoing safety checks at the airport

A passenger jet has had to make an emergency landing at Cardiff International Airport.

The pilot of the Boeing 777 reported a burning smell in the cabin prior to the landing.

British Airways flight from Heathrow to Toronto had 274 passengers and 16 crew on board. They were later taken by bus from the plane to the terminal building.

Vehicles from the emergency service surrounded the plane when it landed on Friday afternoon, but no-one was taken to hospital.

The plane turned back just over the Irish Sea after requesting a diversion to Cardiff, according to a National Air Traffic Services spokesman.

The report of smoke in the cockpit was made just before 1700 GMT and the plane landed in Cardiff just before 1730 GMT.

A spokeswoman said the plane stopped safely outside the BA maintenance depot after landing.

Engineers have been called to examine the aircraft. A decision has yet to be taken on whether flight BA099 can proceed to Toronto, or whether the passengers will be transferred to another service.

No flights were expected to be delayed as a result of the emergency.