A change to the timetable of direct flights between Masterton and Auckland has left at least one regular traveller stranded.
Nicola Jefferies, of Masterton, who makes the daily return trip regularly, said the change meant it was no longer possible to fly up and back on the same day - which will frustrate many business people.
"It's a real shame. It's so convenient being able to come back the same day, rather than having to stay overnight in Auckland or drive to Wellington at 4am to catch an early flight.
The morning flights from Masterton to Auckland were always full, Mrs Jefferies said, and by changing their service, Eagle Air, which operates the route on behalf of Air New Zealand, stood to lose business.
There had been no warning about the timetable change from either airline, she said.
Under the changes, the morning flight leaving Masterton at 7am will switch to a 12.15pm departure. The only return flight from Auckland leaves at 10.40am.
Eagle Air general manager Carrie Hurihanganui said the changes were due to maintenance requirements for an Eagle Air aircraft that serviced the route, and was scheduled to last for six weeks, from May 6 to June 18.
"The small number of passengers affected by the change will be re-accommodated onto other services and Eagle Air apologises for any inconvenience caused."
Ms Hurihanganui said Eagle Air was using the opportunity to trial flights that better suit the leisure traveller and offer the chance for Aucklanders to spend a weekend in Wairarapa with a new fly-in Friday, fly-out Sunday option.
"We have therefore taken this opportunity to trial services to gauge leisure passenger demand including introducing a Friday night flight landing in Masterton at 7.40pm, with a Sunday afternoon flight departing Masterton at 3.15pm."
Masterton Mayor Garry Daniell said he understood every effort was being made to keep disruption to a minimum while essential maintenance was carried out.
"The proposed new timetable will, however, give us the opportunity to trial mid-morning weekday flights and a convenient weekend service, which we have been advocating with Eagle Air for some time.
"This may open up our region to new groups of visitors in the future and if these new times prove popular, there may be opportunities to develop the service to cater better for both leisure and business travellers."
Destination Wairarapa general manager David Hancock said the new trial weekend flights were a fantastic opportunity for the region.