The UK’s largest train operating company, Govia Thameslink Railway, has made special arrangements for passengers whose flights have been affected by the war in the Middle East.

Train ticket restrictions on Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern services have been relaxed for passengers who have been affected by flight cancellations, diversions, or rescheduling to and from the Middle East.

It means passengers who are arriving back into the UK, or departing for the Middle East from Gatwick and Luton Airports at a different time than planned will still be able to use their existing train tickets.

Tickets dated from Saturday, February 28 onwards using Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express or Great Northern services will all be valid:

• On a different day
• Earlier or later on the same day (if advance)
• During the morning or evening peak (if off peak or super off peak)

Passengers will need to show evidence of an original airline booking, along with a flight cancellation or amendment notification.

Louis Rambaud, Govia Thameslink Railway’s Chief Customer Officer, said:

“With uncertainty over air travel to and from the Middle East at the moment, we want to do what we can to help people who have been affected by last-minute flight cancellations and disruption.

“We’ve relaxed our ticket rules so that passengers can get back home without additional worry.”