'Smells' spark emergency landing

Flybe said the safety of passengers was a priority

An aircraft had to make an emergency landing at Birmingham's airport after unpleasant smells and high temperatures were reported in the cabin.

The Flybe flight from Birmingham to Stuttgart had to turn around on Tuesday afternoon after reports of problems.

A spokesman said all 24 of the passengers on board were unharmed and were transferred to a later flight.

Last month Flybe crews refused to fly after it was found noxious fumes leaked into cabins owned by the company.

During one previous flight to Birmingham, two stewards collapsed after being overcome by fumes. Another flight was aborted after the crew had to use oxygen masks.

'Utmost importance'

Flybe had said it would withdraw those aircraft, part of the British Aerospace 146 fleet, early next year.

There is no indication if the aircraft involved in Tuesday's incident was part of that.

A statement released by Flybe said: "Flybe flight BE7125 from Birmingham to Stuttgart returned from airborne after an unpleasant odour and high temperatures were reported in the cabin.

"The aircraft landed without incident in Birmingham at 1335 GMT and all 24 passengers disembarked without incident.

"The safety of our passengers is of the utmost importance to Flybe and we apologise for any inconvenience caused to their journey this afternoon."