An easyJet flight from Manchester to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in Germany on Thursday.

The flight, which was carrying 182 passengers, including 36 children and six babies, landed in Berlin after half the cabin crew fell ill.

All passengers were checked by paramedics “as a precaution only”. Four people were examined in hospital.

An easyJet spokesman confirmed that the flight landed in Berlin “due to three cabin crew feeling unwell.

“Paramedics who met the aircraft on arrival into Berlin took the decision, as a precaution only, to administer medical checks to everyone on board.

“Four passengers received medical checks at the hospital and subsequently returned to the airport.”

He added: “As a result of the delay the crew were unable to continue the flight as it would exceed their legal operating hours. easyJet therefore arranged for a replacement crew and passengers continued their journey to Tel Aviv on another easyJet aircraft.

“All affected passengers were notified of the new departure details and provided with refreshments.

“We would like to thank passengers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused due to the delay. The safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is our highest priority.”

The spokesman said the passengers were delayed by eight hours before taking the next flight to Tel Aviv.

EasyJet, the UK’s largest airline was named British Company of the Year at the British Israeli Business Awards in June.

The airline started flying to Israel in November 2009, carries more than 500,000 passengers in and out of Ben Gurion Airport on 37 weekly departures from Amsterdam, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Geneva, Basel, Rome, Milan, Berlin and Paris.