A Virgin Airlines flight has been forced to make an emergency landing after flames were spotted coming from its engine.

Witnesses reported hearing "loud bangs" as the Boeing aircraft flew over Queenstown, New Zealand.

The plane was diverted to Invercargill Airport and made an emergency landing with "no visible flames".

The Virgin Airlines VA148 flight to Melbourne took off from Queenstown airport around 6pm.

A number of passengers onboard claim the Boeing 737 aircraft hit a bird just after takeoff.

Witnesses claims the plane "sounded like it was coming apart" before flames erupted.

A Queenstown Airport spokeswoman said: "Virgin Australia flight VA148 departed Queenstown Airport at 5.59pm, bound for Melbourne.

"It experienced an issue just after takeoff and has been diverted to Invercargill Airport."

It is reported that 73 people were on board the aircraft at the time.

"It was making one hell of a pulsing/throbbing noise out of one engine then it was shooting flames out - maybe hit a bird? It continued climbing and the noise and flame stopped," witness Nick Lambert told the New Zealand Herald.

The flight was met with a "full turn-out" of emergency responders in Invercargill.

A spokesperson for Virgin Australia added the airline is yet to establish the cause of the incident.

They said: "We are aware of reports involving a Virgin Australia aircraft. We are working to establish details and will provide an update as soon as possible."

One witness who posted footage of the incident on social media wrote: "Sounded like it was coming apart over our house.

"One engine was throwing flames and sputtering out."