Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express start 24 hour operations

Managing Director Richard Robinson said: "Now that flights are operating today we have increased our capacity by an additional 4000 seats to help our passengers during this difficult time. Our operational flexibility allows us to provide extra trains through the night. It is crucial that we run a regular service for people flying out from the UK as well as customers flying back into the UK, but we wanted to do more to ensure that we have the capacity for even larger volumes of passengers."

Heathrow Express is running its usual 15 minute every 15 minutes service to and from Heathrow Airport, until 23:25 from Paddington Station and 23:42 from Heathrow Terminal 5. After these times, there will be a train departing every 45 minutes:

From Paddington Station:

Trains Terminal 5 depart at 00:30, 01:15, 2:00, 02:45, 03:30, 04:14 and 04:39.

From Heathrow Terminal 5:

Trains Paddington depart at 00:30, 01:15, 02:00, 02:45, 03:30, 04:10 and 04:41.

A normal Heathrow Express service will operate again from 05:10 from Paddington and 05:07 from Terminal 5.

Gatwick Express is running a 24 hour service to help clear the back log of passengers arriving at the airport having been delayed by the volcanic ash.

During the night, extra Gatwick Express trains will depart from Victoria every 30 minutes (01h35, 02h00, 02h35, 03h05 and 03h35). From Gatwick Airport Station, trains will also depart every 30 minutes (02h05, 02h35, 03h05, 03h35 and 04h05) with a 15 minute timetable starting again at 05h00.

Chris Burchell, Southern's managing director, said: "We have been working closely with the airport to ensure there is a regular service for all passengers. As the only dedicated rail-air link between London and Gatwick Airport, we appreciate the difficulties air travellers have faced and we wanted to offer some extra trains to help passengers on their way. This extended timetable is likely to remain in force for the next few days."