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A passenger plane has landed back at Manchester Airport after reportedly declaring an emergency shortly after take off.

EasyJet flight EZY1877 to Bilbao U-turned over north Wales shortly before 1.30pm and landed back at Manchester Airport around 15 minutes later.

It is currently on the runway and flanked by two fire engines. 

The easyJet flight was met by two fire engines after it was forced into a u-turn to Manchester Airport

Manchester Evening News reported that passengers reported smelling fumes on board. 

Early reports are suggesting the aircraft experienced a technical fault but Manchester Airport and easyJet are yet to confirm the reason for the U-turn.

Eyewitness Carl Gozem told MailOnline Travel: 'We saw the fire brigade position themselves along the runway and planes waiting to take off were stopped. 

'Once the easyjet plane had landed it turned and stopped for a few minutes before moving towards the airport followed by the emergency vehicles.' 

A spokesman for easyJet told MailOnline Travel: 'easyJet can confirm that flight EZY1877 from Manchester to Bilbao returned to Manchester Airport as a precaution due to the smell of fumes in the cabin. 

The easyJet flight was forced to return to Manchester when there were reports of fumes smelt in the cabin

'The aircraft landed safely at Manchester and was met by the fire service in line with routine procedures.

'The safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority. The passengers disembarked the aircraft as normal and have been transferred to the terminal and are awaiting a replacement aircraft to Bilbao.

'We would like to apologise for any inconvenience experienced due to the delay.'