Flight diverted after pilot detects 'unusual odour' in cockpit

Melbourne, Feb 23: A Sydney-bound Virgin Australia flight, with 160 passengers on board, made an emergency landing at Brisbane airport on Tuesday after the pilot detected an "unusual odour" in the front galley.

Flight VA1280 had taken off from Hamilton Island and was diverted to Brisbane. "In accordance with standard operating procedures, the Captain made the decision to land in Brisbane as a precautionary measure after an unusual odour was detected in the front galley of the aircraft," Virgin Australia spokeswoman was quoted as saying by the Daily Express.

"The aircraft was met on arrival by emergency services as a precautionary measure only. All passengers and crew have safely disembarked the aircraft," she said.

The low-cost airline confirmed the pilot had reported smoke in the cockpit, and that passengers could smell the smoke. All travellers have been moved to other flights enroute to Sydney, she added.

PTI