A UK-bound flight from Tel Aviv had to make an emergency landing in Budapest last night after the plane lost cabin pressure.

The Jet2 flight with 242 passengers, which left Ben Gurion airport at 6.55pm for Manchester got into difficulties two hours into the journey and oxygen masks were released for passengers.

The pilot had to land in Budapest, where passengers were put up in hotels before flying back to Manchester this afternoon.

A passenger on the flight, who did not wish to be named, said: “It was just like watching a film; you just don’t think things happen like that in real life. People were shouting and screaming, because it really was quite scary.

“It was hard to hear what was going on because of all the noise.

“We had our seatbelts on for most of the flight because there was quite a lot of turbulence. I went to the bathroom, came back and all the oxygen masks had dropped down”.

“We were quite worried about getting home in time for Shabbat.”

The passenger had nothing but praise for the Jet2 cabin crew’s handling of the situation.

“They were very calm, very efficient; they knew just what to do.”

A spokesperson for Jet2.com said: “Last night Jet2.com flight 908 from Tel Aviv to Manchester was diverted to Budapest due to a cabin pressure issue.

“Despite visa problems for some of the passengers with passports from outside the EU, Jet2.com was able to liaise closely with airport authorities to ensure that everyone could spend the night in a local hotel.

“Passengers are due back to Manchester at 2.50pm today. The plane will be met by Jet2.com representatives on arrival