Virgin Australia is now offering special discounted “Stranded Passenger" fares to assist travellers hit by the sudden Qantas shutdown.

The fares are listed at a 20 per cent discount on “available Saver fares on Virgin Australia and Pacific Blue flights” and are valid for Qantas ticket-holders from today through to next Thursday, 3 November 2011.

Stranded travellers can apply for the special fares online at www.virginaustralia.com/qantasgrounding.

Special fares for passengers wishing to travel on Virgin’s V Australia international arm are yet to be advised.

Eligible passengers are those who are "currently at a port away from home and hold a Qantas ticket to return home initially within the next 5 days", according to an airline statement.

The airline says that full details will be published at http://www.virginaustralia.com/servicedisruption as soon as they become available. (We suggest also keeping an eye on the @VirginAustralia Twitter account).

Virgin Australia is also discussing whether its alliance partners -- potentially including Etihad, Air New Zealand and even Singapore Airlines -- can help add extra flights "as soon as possible".

For the latest on the situation, head to Australian Business Traveller's continuing coverage of the Qantas shutdown.