LAST UPDATE | 11 Feb

A PLANE BOUND for the United States had to turn around shortly after departing Dublin this afternoon to make an emergency landing.

Aer Lingus flight EI121 took off at 1.38pm from Dublin Airport bound for Orlando, Florida.

However, shortly after departure, the plane turned around due to a “technical issue” and headed back to Dublin Airport.

Passengers have disembarked the plane and are being put on a new flight later today.

An Aer Lingus spokesperson confirmed that the flight “returned to Dublin Airport shortly after take-off this afternoon due to a technical issue”.

“The aircraft returned safely to stand, and all passengers have disembarked,” it said.

“Customers are being re-accommodated on a new Aer Lingus flight which will depart Dublin for Orlando this evening.”

A passenger who was on board the flight told The Journal that banging noises could be heard during take-off.

They said that the captain and crew maintained a calm atmosphere as the flight returned to the airport and that the landing was smooth.

In a statement to The Journal, the Dublin airport authority said that “the aircraft landed safely where it was met by Dublin Airport’s Fire and Rescue Service and Airport Police and was escorted to a stand at the terminal”.