A new flight service between Cardiff and London has started and has been timed to coincide with major rail engineering works taking place.
The three times-a day FlyBe flights to London City airport operate until 21 October and are scheduled to take 1hr 15 mins. During the same period, the Severn Tunnel is closed as part of the rail electrification programme.
Passengers have been warned of up to 45 minutes extra on rail journey times. The 130-year-old Severn tunnel has closed to trains for six weeks so rail engineers can install more than eight miles of electrical equipment. The work is crucial so the faster, electric trains can run in future.
Great Western Railway (GWR) mainline services will be diverted via Gloucester between Newport and Swindon, adding about 30 minutes to journey times.
FlyBe announced the new route in March, calling the return services "rescue flights" to alleviate the "travel woes" of rail passengers during the planned engineering works.
It already operates flights to London City from UK airports including Exeter and Edinburgh. The airport in east London is connected to the Docklands Light Railway.
Vale MP Alun Cairns, who flew on the maiden flight, said “The flights being offered by FlyBe from Rhoose to London City Aiport are a helpful way of ensuring that the Welsh capital, Canary Wharf and central London stay connected during the temporary closure of the Severn Tunnel.
“Cardiff Airport is growing in significance as a centre for financial services and the need for fast transport connections for business travellers is only going to increase.
“I hope we will see an expanding range of regional air services from London to Cardiff in the longer term. We need to make it as easy as possible for commuters to get here - whether by plane, or the faster travel times promised by the Crossrail upgrade.”