A passenger suffering from delirious episodes attempted to break into the cockpit of an EasyJet flight from Lyon to Porto on Friday evening, police and the airline confirmed on Saturday.

The incident occurred shortly after take-off from Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport, EasyJet told AFP.

Shortly after take-off from Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport, the passenger was restrained by fellow travellers and kept under control until the plane returned to Lyon, where he was taken into police custody, according to French authorities.

Medical examinations later confirmed that the 26-year-old Portuguese national was suffering from airsickness and delirious episodes. Unknown to police, he was subsequently hospitalised.

The flight later departed again for Porto and landed safely later in the evening, EasyJet confirmed.