clipped from: news.bbc.co.uk His plane circled the Tegucigalpa airport, but it could not land as the authorities had blocked the runway.
Earlier at least two people were killed as troops fended off Zelaya supporters converging on the airport.
Mr Zelaya, who was ousted a week ago, has now arrived in neighbouring El Salvador where he is due to meet regional leaders, who support him.
After Mr Zelaya's plane was turned away, his supporters began chanting "We want blue helmets!", meaning UN peacekeepers.
As the plane was flying towards Tegicugalpa, troops in riot gear fired tear gas at thousands of Zelaya supporters, some of whom reportedly hurled stones.
Thousands managed to break through the security cordon.
The new government has imposed a sunset-to-sunrise curfew.
"We're going to keep marching so that our president comes home."