A British Airways (BA) flight from Cyprus to London was forced to make an emergency landing due to a medical incident.

Flight BA711 left Larnaca International Airport around 7am local time on Sunday, September 27.

The cockpit crew issued a 7700 'squawk code': an aviation signal for a general emergency – which could relate to a critical situation, such as engine trouble, medical issues, or onboard fire. 

The plane began its descent, landing at Luxembourg Airport around four hours into the flight.

Less than two hours later, it resumed its route to London Heathrow, arriving at 12.51pm BST.

BA told the Mirror the diversion was due to a medical incident on board - and it's not the first time pilots have had to alter their plans due to a medical issue on board.

Earlier this summer, a Jetstar plane was turned around on the runway in Australia after a medical emergency.

Meanwhile, in June, an Air Canada flight carrying 61 passengers suddenly began jolting and swerving mid-air after the pilot suffered an 'incapacitating' medical emergency in the cockpit. 

Flight 7664, headed to Nova Scotia from New Jersey, was forced to make an abrupt diversion to Massachusetts.

The co-pilot was forced to take control of the aircraft, safely landing it at Boston Logan International Airport shortly afterward. 

And just this week, four people were rushed to hospital after a packed passenger jet had to make an emergency landing due to smoke in the cabin.

Around 12 passengers on board the Airbus A330 had to be given oxygen while the plane was still mid-air.

The Delta Airlines flight took off from Barcelona and was heading to Boston when the decision was made to make an emergency landing in Porto.