Plane hit by lightning returns to Sydney

A Qantas plane en route to Port Macquarie on the NSW mid-north coast has returned to Sydney after being hit by lightning.

Flight QF2164 returned shortly after take-off on Tuesday morning, a Qantas spokeswoman told AAP.

"Aircraft are designed to withstand and fly safely when struck by lightning but it is policy that they get inspected at their arrival port after a strike.

"Port Macquarie does not have the engineering support required for this inspection so the flight returned to Sydney," a statement read.

"At no point was the safety of the flight compromised."

Passengers were transferred onto another flight, the Qantas spokeswoman said, thanking customers for their understanding.