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Festive travellers are being encouraged to take to the air as major works planned for motorways and rail services look set to cause travel chaos around Christmas and New Year.
The call came from Flybe following train companies warning passengers about major works that will severely impact the West Coast mainline route between Scotland and London, and Virgin Trains urging people not to travel until December 29 due to planned closures on its network.
First Great Western is also asking passengers to check journeys before they travel.
Meanwhile, motorists face lengthy delays on the M1 and M4 as road works are expected throughout the festive period.
With just a week until Christmas Eve, Flybe’s ‘Purple Wednesday’ flash sale returns today (Wednesday) covering routes from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, London City airport, Manchester and Southampton with one way tickets available from £15 including taxes and charges, when booked before midnight.
The airline’s chief commercial officer, Paul Simmons, said: “People wanting to visit friends and family for Christmas and New Year will face difficulties with road and rail travel this year, which is why we are highlighting the convenience of air travel this festive period.
“Sitting in long queues on the motorway while trying to keep the children entertained, is not an ideal way to start the holidays.
“Travelling by rail doesn’t seem too appealing either, as operators confirm major engineering works, which will mean normal journeys will take much longer than originally scheduled. In some cases, lengthy bus replacement services will be in operation.
“We pride ourselves on providing the best and fastest regional connectivity and, at this time of year especially, our extensive network of routes and convenient connections, is a real option – plus, with all the planned rail and road disruption, flying is certainly the faster way to travel.”
He added: “The train from Exeter to London can take more than two hours even on a good day, whereas we fly straight into the heart of the capital in around an hour.
“Likewise, passengers travelling between London and Inverness can expect to be on the train for over eight hours or in the car for over ten, before arriving at their destination. With Flybe, we take you there in just under two hours.”