Jetstar pressure malfunction

Photo / file

A pressure malfunction on board a domestic Jetstar flight forced the plane to turn around and return to Wellington shortly after take-off this morning.

Flight JQ246 from the capital to Auckland had 158 people on board.

A spokesman from the airline said there was an "issue with pressurising the cabin'', which prompted the pilot to turn the plane around.

"No cabin pressure was lost and the aircraft, with 158 passengers on board, landed without incident around 8am,'' he said.

"Engineers have been working on the aircraft and we hope to have it back in service shortly.''

Cabin pressure is used to create a safe and comfortable environment for passengers and crew while flying at high altitudes.

The grounded aircraft is now back in service, a Jetstar spokesman said.