An Air India plane carrying 231 passengers was escorted across Europe towards Heathrow by fighter jets today after it lost contact with air traffic control.

For around two hours Hungarian, German and Belgian pilots shadowed the 787 Dreamliner, which was bound for Britain after leaving Ahmedabad in Gujarat overnight.

The fighters were scrambled after it arrived over Hungary at around 8.15am but it failed to make radio contact, sparking fears it had been hijacked or was in trouble.

The escort was continued by the German air force before Belgian F-16s intercepted the Indian national carrier's plane, taking it over Belgium and the Netherlands.

But by the time the plane entered British skies the fault had been rectified and it did not require the RAF to escort it down.

Drama: An Air India was escorted across Europe towards Heathrow by fighter jets after it lost contact with air traffic control - when it landed (pictured) it did not need any help

Escort: Hungarian, German and Belgian air force pilots shadowed the plane bound to Britain from Ahmedabad in Gujarat (the plane's route is in white, the fighter jets' may be in green)

It landed safely in London this morning and it appears it was a technical problem because by the time it reached Britain they air crew had made contact with the air traffic control.

MailOnline has approached Air India for comment.