Virgin flight makes emergency landing at Newcastle Airport

A Virgin flight from Port Macquarie to Sydney has been forced to land at Newcastle Airport due to smoke in the cabin.

Fire and Rescue NSW Fire told 9News they were called to the airport which is adjacent to a RAAF base at 3:06pm after flight VA1188 carrying 27 passengers and four crew made an emergency landing.

Inspector Tony Townsend from Port Stephens LAC said pilots noticed smoke coming from the aircraft's instrument panel in the cockpit and touched down on the Newcastle runway at 3:14pm.

Air force fire services also attended the scene.

Virgin Australia confirmed all passengers were evacuated off the plane safely.