Avanti West Coast has announced that Flybe passengers can travel for free on its services until Wednesday 11th March, to help them get to their destinations. Passengers just need to show a Flybe ticket. Flybe staff can also travel for free on Avanti West Coast by showing a Flybe ID.

Phil Whittingham, MD of Avanti West Coast, said: "This is a very difficult time for Flybe staff and passengers. If we can help make it a bit easier we're happy to do so."

For background: Flybe passengers and staff can travel on any First Rail company, especially those going to Southampton from the lines of Glasgow.

FirstGroup have also issued the following Press Release. Since this has been issued, the offer of free travel has been extended until Wednesday 11th March.

Flybe passengers offered free travel on FirstGroup trains today

Following the news that airline Flybe will not be providing any flights today (Thursday 5 March), the UK’s largest rail operator FirstGroup will offer a free ticket on its trains to all Flybe customers intending to travel today.

FirstGroup’s rail companies comprise Avanti West Coast; Great Western Railway; South Western Railway; TransPennine Express and Hull Trains.

Customers will need to provide a boarding pass or other valid proof of booking for a flight today. They should show this to employees at the station ticket office where they begin their journey and will be given a complimentary standard class ticket on a similar route to their original flight destination, if that option exists.

First Rail Managing Director Steve Montgomery said “Our rail services connect people and communities up and down the country and as a gesture of goodwill we want to ensure that anyone who was due to travel on Flybe’s grounded flights today can still complete their journey.”