More bums on seats is the way to secure a constant daily air service in and out of Whanganui.
Mayor Annette Main said that was the simple arithmetic that needed to be applied to ensure Air New Zealand maintained its services between Whanganui and Auckland and block any need to reduce services.
The airline has already confirmed it is cutting its daily flights from late March next year, when it will introduce two outward and two inward flights, seven days a week.
An Air New Zealand spokesman said the transition from three daily services on the Whanganui-Auckland route was in line with similar changes made around the country as the airline moved from the 19-seat Beechcraft 1900D planes to the 50-seater Bombardier Q300s.
Ms Main she had spoken directly to Air New Zealand when she learned of the pending changes.