An Air Malta jet with 143 people on board had to circle over Glasgow before making an emergency landing because of a suspected burst tyre.

According to the BBC News website, full-scale emergency procedures were put in place, with extra emergency crews drafted in to the airport in case of a crash.

An Air Malta spokesman is quoted as saying that the crew followed standard procedure after reporting a suspected problem shortly after flight KM107 took off at 19.30.

He reportedly said: “It is not hugely common but it is not uncommon either. There was still a good tyre on the main landing gear and the pilot was able to land safely according to the safety procedure. The crew are well trained for such incidents and we are always pleased that they carry out their duties accordingly.”

One passenger is quoted as saying that passengers gave the crew a round of applause when the plane touched down safely, adding: “Things go through your mind like you might never see your family again, and when they started talking about the evacuation chutes, it really hit home.”