A China Eastern Airlines flight bound for Guangzhou was forced to return to Hangzhou shortly after takeoff on Wednesday morning after passengers noticed smoke in the cabin, according to a media report.

Flight MU5211, operated by an Airbus A320, had taken off for the Guangdong provincial capital when passengers smelt burning and told the cabin crew, according to the Morning Express newspaper in Zhejiang.

The plane returned to Hangzhou airport and the airline arranged for the passengers to take another flight.

China Eastern said it is investigating the incident, but denied some passengers' claims that there was a fire on the flight.

No casualties were reported in the incident, the report said.