Manchester Airport: British Airways plane makes emergency landing

The flight was grounded due to smoke in the cockpit

A British Airways plane has made an emergency landing at Manchester Airport after smoke was spotted in the cockpit.

The aircraft touched down at about 16:55 GMT and was greeted by the airport's firefighters.

Two other planes were asked to circle the area before being allowed to land.

Manchester Airport said the manoeuvre was a "precaution" and the smoke was the result of a "minor technical issue".

The flight, number BA1369 from Heathrow to Manchester, was taken to a remote area but passengers were able to leave normally.

A spokesman for the airport said the runway remained open.

He told the BBC: "There was never a significant concern. British Airways will be looking at what caused the smoke."

A representative for British Airways said: "Our flight crew requested a priority landing due to a minor technical issue. The aircraft landed safely and customers disembarked normally."