Pictures taken at the scene show the jet was taken back to the terminal followed by the emergency services.
Passengers were then taken off the plane and into the airport buildings. It is understood that they were delayed by three hours before they could take off again.
There are unconfirmed reports it was due to smoke from the aircraft but the `technical problem` has not yet been revealed.
A BA spokesman said: `The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority, and our flight returned to the airport due to a suspected technical fault with the aircraft.
`Our customers are already on their way to Basel on an alternative aircraft`.
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