A group of 50 schoolchildren who were left stranded at Wellington Airport overnight returned to Auckland this morning.

Jetstar initially informed the children they would not be able to get an alternative flight home until Tuesday.

But the group from Cornwall Park District School, who were in the capital for an orchestra trip, were placed on an early morning flight today.

One parent said that, amazingly, after a few media inquiries, Jetstar was able to put the school children on an 8.20am flight to Auckland.

He said the children had learned an important lesson: sell more cupcakes in order to fly Air New Zealand.

Last night Jetstar said the flight was cancelled because of an engineering problem.