New Air Service from Oakland International will be Bay Area’s First Nonstop to Western Texas Oakland, CA – (June 28, 2016): Oakland International announced today that Allegiant Air will offer the Bay Area’s only nonstop flight to El Paso, Texas, beginning October 6, 2016. The new flight will operate twice per week on Monday and Thursday.  Allegiant began service at OAK in 2009 with one destination, Bellingham, WA. El Paso will be the airline’s 9th destination from the centrally located San Francisco Bay Area airport. In addition to Bellingham and the new flight to El Paso, Allegiant also flies from OAK nonstop to Eugene, OR, Phoenix-Mesa, AZ, Idaho Falls, ID, Provo, UT, Omaha, NE, and Kalispell – Glacier Park, MT and Missoula, MT. The airline, part of the Allegiant Travel Company, specializes in offering high value, low cost San Francisco Bay Area tour packages to travelers residing in otherwise unserved inbound markets. They partner with all of the major car rental agencies and dozens of Bay Area hotels. In 2015, Allegiant brought more than 50,000 visitors to the San Francisco Bay area through its gateway at OAK and is a major component of the area’s tourism-based economies. “We’re pleased that Allegiant is making it easier and more affordable for residents in El Paso to visit the San Francisco Bay Area,” said Bryant L. Francis, Port of Oakland Director of Aviation. “As the airport closest to the top tourism venues in the region, we’re confident that visitors from West Texas will have an incredible time while here, and will want to return.  From Wine Country to Fisherman’s Wharf, from the new SF MOMA to the Oakland Museum of California – the San Francisco Bay Area offers something of interest for everyone.” With the flight scheduled to launch just in time for the winter holiday travel season, Allegiant will give away seats on the route’s inaugural flight as part of its Christmas in July Sweepstakes.* Additionally, Allegiant is offering one-way fares on the route for as low as $49. ** “We are very excited to add a new route to the Bay Area,” said Jude Bricker, Allegiant Chief Operating Officer. “The San Francisco Bay is one of California’s top vacation destinations, and we’re confident that El Paso travelers will take advantage of Allegiant’s brand of affordable, convenient flights.” The new service announcement comes as Oakland International is in the midst of increasing levels of passenger traffic, having recently reported 30 consecutive months of passenger traffic growth in May.