A VIRGIN Atlantic flight is heading for Gatwick after suffering a "technical issue".
The flight - the Virgin Atlantic flight VS043 - left Gatwick for Las Vegas at 1.20 this afternoon.
Emergency services have been scrambled from nearby towns in case an emergency landing is required.
There are unconfirmed reports that the plane has dumped fuel over the English Channel in preparation for an emergency landing, which will reduce the risk of a fire when the plane lands.
Virgin Atlantic has confirmed there is a technical fault with one of its flights.
Check back for updates....
15.34 - Flight tracker sites show the plane is now heading back north, possibly towards Gatwick, The airport is understood to be ready for an emergency landing
15.48 - Reports the plane VS43 has landed at Gatwick, its current condition is unknown
#VS43 just landed safely at Gatwick Airport! pic.twitter.com/MnTaKOr9IF
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) December 29, 2014
Follow the plane's route here and scroll down for more
This is the route taken by stricken flight #VS43 which is headed for Gatwick http://t.co/jVx5xh78cspic.twitter.com/c4teRsZuR8
— Chris Madden (@chrismads) December 29, 2014
#vs43 returned over land after several manoeuvres over sea after 2nd low fly-over of Gatwick ".@WILLIE747HUNTpic.twitter.com/hsjhzgNTgv "
— Missing (@smemAU) December 29, 2014
At Gatwick Airport monitoring flight #VS43 situation. Dozens of ambulances and fire engines. Waiting for next approach.
— Mitch Mansfield (@Mitch_Mansfield) December 29, 2014
Virgin says that #VS43 is going to attempt a 'non-standard' landing at Gatwick.
— SimonNRicketts (@SimonNRicketts) December 29, 2014
Aplane is currently circling over Gatwick due to a technical fault, oh how lovely
— Stephen Pearce (@ffc_steve) December 29, 2014
