AN EASYJET flight was forced to return to Gatwick after a smell of "fumes" emerged in the cockpit.

       The flight had to turn around and head back to the Sussex airport shortly after departing for Barcelona this afternoon.

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       EasyJet airplanes at London’s Gatwick airport (stock image) Credit: Getty

       The aircraft was met by firefighters on the tarmac after landing safely.

       It came after "a fume smell" was discovered inside the aircraft's cockpit shortly after takeoff.

       All passengers had to leave the plane and return to the terminal, where they have had to wait hours for another flight to Spain.

       A spokesperson for EasyJet said: "We can confirm that flight EZY8059 from London Gatwick to Barcelona today returned to Gatwick as a precaution due to a fume smell in the cockpit.

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       "The aircraft landed safely 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.

       "Passengers have been disembarked as normal to the terminal and we are currently making plans for their onward travel.

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

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       It comes after thousands of Brits had their flights cancelled due to more air traffic control issues last night.

       And a Nats technical glitch last week also caused widespread disruption at airports across the UK.

       And around 58 flights were cancelled to and from Gatwick Airport last night, in another ATC issue, affecting around 9,000 passengers.

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       Passengers had to disembark the flight and return inside Gatwick (stock image) Credit: Ian Whittaker