Liverpool easyJet flight declares emergency moments after take off

An easyJet flight was forced to declare a "general emergency" just moments after takeoff, forcing it to turn around after having barely left the runway.

Easyjet flight EZY18KP lifted off from Liverpool earlier this afternoon, departing the city's John Lennon Airport (LJLA) from around 4.25pm. The flight, which was bound for Bodrum, Turkey, started "squawking 7700 shortly after take off", according to tracking site Flightradar 24. The squawk indicates a "generalemergency" to air control on the ground, and that the aircraft requires assistance, with a spokesperson for the budget airline quickly confirming the nature of today's emergency in a statement.

READ MORE: EasyJet flight forced to divert back to UK airport in 'extraordinary circumstance'

An easyJet spokesperson said the emergency in question was a "bird strike" which occurred shortly after taking off this evening. They said in a statement that the plane returned to LJLA and would be inspected by engineers on the ground.

They said: “Our flight from Liverpool to Bodrum this evening has been delayed due to experiencing a bird strike shortly after take-off. The pilot returned to Liverpool in line with our procedures and performed a routine landing where it will be inspected by engineers.

“The safety of its passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers’ guidelines.”

The squawk comes just two days after another easyJet plane was forced to make a dramatic heel-turn back to the UK in an "extraordinary circumstance" the airline said was out of its hands.

The EZY2159 service, which was also bound for Turkey, took off from Manchester Airport shortly before 5pm on Monday, but came thousands of miles short of Izmir, its intended destination.

The plane was forced to turn back after reaching the Norfolk coast, with dramatic maps showing the aircraft's circle back to the UK mainland. The plane eventually came to land back at its departure point just 50 minutes later at 5.50pm, with easyJet later confirming in a statement that the diversion was due to a "passenger welfare issue".

The airline said the situation was "out of our control" and considered "an extraordinary circumstance", adding that plans were made for a replacement service to carry passengers to their intended destination on Tuesday. In an update posted at 9pm on social media, easyJet apologised for the disruption, telling passengers it was "very sorry" for the unexpected issue.

The update read: "We're sorry that your flight has been delayed overnight. This is due to a passenger welfare issue. We are working hard to arrange your new flight for tomorrow. Once again, we're very sorry for the disruption to your travel plans."