Virgin Atlantic flight declares midair emergency over UK minutes after take off

The plane squawked 7700

The A330 aircraft, registered G-VSXY, departed Manchester Airport at 15:10 with New York as its destination.

The flight did multiple loops in the Merseyside area, to the west of Manchester, before landing back at the same airport, 40 minutes after taking off.

The plane was the most tracked flight in the world with 16,000 people watching it on Flightradar24 at its peak.

The airbus plane squawked 7700 shortly after take off, the internationally recognised code for an emergency.

Screenshot: Flightradar24.

However, planes squawk often, and the issue can range from anything from a health emergency on board to a technical issue with the aircraft.

The code informs Air Traffic Control (ATC) of an issue and gives the pilot priority in the airspace and clears the way for landing at an airport.

Movement on Flightradar 24 showed other aircraft in the sky initially looping and clearing the way.

A livestream from Manchester Airport is showing operations currently.

This is a breaking news story, updates to follow.