Passengers affected by the collapse of UK-based airline Flybe are being offered free train travel .

The UK's largest rail operator FirstGroup and London north Eastern Railway (LNER) are offering support to anyone left stranded by the Flybe news.

Europe’s largest regional airline Flybe announced in the early hours of today, Thursday, it had ceased trading with immediate effect and that administrators had been appointed.

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

Customers will need to provide a boarding pass or other valid proof of booking for a flight today. Flybe employees should show staff ID to take up the same offer.

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.”

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is also offering free travel for stranded staff and customers.

LNER is offering free standard travel on any of its services along the East Coast route.

Staff and customers should present their employee ID, boarding card or flight confirmation details in order to travel with LNER today, Wednesday.

York Press:

Suzanne Donnelly, LNER commercial director, said: “We recognise this is a difficult time for Flybe staff and for customers booked to travel with the former airline. We are pleased to be able to offer free Standard travel to help people return home following the collapse of Flybe.”

Grand Central is offering free standard travel for FlyBe customers and employees on all its services from today, Wednesday, until Thursday, March 12, following news that the airline has gone into administration.

The train company, which runs services from Sunderland and Bradford Interchange to London King's Cross, is offering anyone with an air ticket, boarding pass or email confirmation with Flybe to travel on its services in order to complete their return journey.

Meanwhile FlyBe employees will be able to travel by showing their staff ID, payroll slip or uniform.

Louise Blyth, commercial and customer policy director at Grand Central, said: “We were saddened to hear the news that FlyBe had gone into administration.

“It is obviously a very difficult time for the airline and its staff and customers, many of which have had their travel plans disrupted.

“In the circumstances, we would like to offer free travel for those affected to enable FlyBe customers and employees to make their way home or their return journey.”


Meanwhile, a Government spokesman said: “Following a commercial decision by the company, Flybe has ceased trading.

“We recognise the impact this will have on Flybe’s passengers and staff.

"Government staff will be on hand at all affected UK airports to help passengers.

“The vast majority of Flybe routes are served by different transport options, and we have asked bus and train operators to accept Flybe tickets and other airlines to offer reduced rescue fares to ensure passengers can make their journeys as smoothly as possible.

“We know this will be a worrying time for Flybe staff and our Jobcentre Plus Rapid Response Service stands ready to help them find a new job as soon as possible.

“We are working closely with industry to minimise any disruption to routes operated by Flybe, including by looking urgently at how routes not already covered by other airlines can be re-established by the industry.

“Through the reviews of regional connectivity and Airport Passenger Duty we have announced, we will bring forward recommendations to help ensure that the whole of the UK has the connections in place that people rely on.

“Flybe's financial difficulties were longstanding and well documented and pre-date the outbreak of COVID-19. We are well prepared a potential outbreak and this week we have set out an action plan with details of our response.”