Campaigners are due to meet the Minister for Transport today to discuss changes to the timetable for flights between Dublin and Donegal.
It comes amid concerns that changes to the existing Public Service Obligation (PSO) flight times could affect patients who depend on the route for essential medical treatment.
Flights currently operate twice daily in each direction from Monday to Friday, departing from Co Donegal at 8am and 2.30pm, and from Dublin at 12.55pm and 6.50pm.
Mary Coyle of Donegal Cancer Flights and Services told RTÉ's Today with David McCullagh programme, that due to the timetable changes there is no reliability for the morning flight and patients are not happy about the removal of the lunchtime flight.
She said that the service was all about ensuring patients get appointments first thing in the morning, saying the air service is their lifeline and they are at risk of missing appointments due to this change.
She added that it is not humane or practical to sit in an airport after treatment or diagnosis for a number of hours if you have missed a flight.
"This is our lifeline.
She said that the changes do not take account of those who live on the islands who need to get a boat out to get the lunchtime flight.
She added that the PSO contract was signed without the voice of the people.
Ms Coyle said that a service without reliability is not negotiable, and that the change appears to suit the airline more than the people of Donegal.
"It's not right what has been done.
"We are going to take nothing less than what we are entitled to, and that's the service that we currently have."
Cancer patient, Kathlenn Griffen used the service to access her medical care in Dublin.
She said without the current flight timeable she doesn't want to think "about what would have happened".
"We don't have any other infrastructure and when you are somebody that's not well it is a lifeline for us."
She told the programme that without the afternoon flight to Dublin, "I would have missed my operation".
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