A Jet Airways plane was forced to return mid-flight to Mumbai airport after dozens of passengers began suffering from nosebleeds and ear pain after a loss of cabin pressure.

The flight, which was carrying 166 passengers and five crew members, had been en route to Jaipur, a city and popular tourist destination in western India.

It landed normally in Mumbai, India's financial centre, and those on board were taken to an airport terminal. Medical help was given to 30 people, according to an airline statement and alternative travel arrangements were being arranged for all those affected.

The passengers fell ill during the plane's climb, according to an official speaking to the Press Trust of India news agency.

An official investigation is underway and the flight's cockpit crew have been removed from their duties pending its outcome, according to Jet Airways.

Earlier this year the airline fired two pilots for allegedly brawling and storming out of the cockpit during a flight, leaving the controls unattended.