Hundreds of thousands of people are reported to have been delayed by flight cancellations and delays which have been caused by a technical problem at air traffic control yesterday. National Rail has announced that ticket restrictions are being eased, to help stranded airline passengers.

It’s believed more than 300 flights have been cancelled today alone.

Passengers can use their railway tickets to travel at alternative times or get a fee-free refund.

They can also use their existing tickets to return home on the same day if their flight had been cancelled.

A fee-free refund within 28 days of date of travel will be offered if someone no longer travels, for abandoned journeys or for original rail tickets if a passenger had to purchase a new one to travel to or from a different airport station.

Operators taking part include LNER and TransPennine Express, which is helping passengers who had booked flights from Manchester.

Passengers will also be permitted to use services run by other operators, including Northern, to complete their journeys.

TPE commercial director Darren Higgins said: ‘We understand how frustrating and stressful travel disruption can be so to help those affected by the recent air traffic control issues, we are allowing customers with eligible rail tickets to travel on an alternative date at no extra cost where their flights have been rebooked.  

‘Our teams are on hand to assist customers and help them complete their journeys as smoothly as possible.’

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