A RYANAIR flight made an emergency landing at a Rome airport today after hitting a flock of birds, some of which smashed into the engines.

The left-hand main landing gear suffered substantial damage in the collision.

Passengers were evacuated via escape chutes after the plane came to a halt at the end of the runway at Ciampino airport with one of its engines resting on the tarmac.

The jet's nose cone and wings appeared to be streaked with red following the impact of the birds.

All 166 passengers and six crew on the flight to Rome from Frankfurt were reported safe, but two cabin crew and eight passengers received medical attention as a precaution, said the airline.

“Ryanair flight FR4102 from Frankfurt (Hahn) to Rome (Ciampino) experienced multiple collisions with birds in both engines during the landing,” the airline said in a statement.

“Ryanair technicians are inspecting the plane and its engines to check for damage from the incident.”

All flights from the airport, Rome's second largest and home to several no-frills airlines, were suspended and long lines of passengers with luggage formed outside the terminal.

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