Allegiant plans to announce on Tuesday new direct flights from Redmond to the Bay Area, giving locals another option for reaching the San Francisco area and providing tourists a direct connection to Central Oregon.

Sabrina LoPiccolo, spokeswoman for Allegiant Travel Co., would not specify the destination airport for the new flights. But according to its website, Allegiant only flies to one Bay Area airport: Oakland International Airport.

Currently, Allegiant offers flights to Oakland from Eugene; Bellingham, Wash.; and Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz., the website shows.

Central Oregon residents have access to the Bay Area by air already. United Express has two direct daily flights between Redmond Airport and San Francisco International Airport, and will resume a third in June, said Marissa Snow, spokeswoman for SkyWest Airlines, which operates United Express.

The additional service by Allegiant will benefit Central Oregon, said Alana Hughson, president and CEO of the Central Oregon Visitors Association. The East Bay Area is another important target for COVA.

“Oakland has great access to Sonoma, (Calif.),” she said. “If you want to do wine tasting, it is the preferred airport.”

Allegiant flies to cities and regions considered leisure or recreation destinations, including Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. But it typically does not offer daily service like the major commercial airlines.

“Generally speaking, Allegiant is very focused on low fares and nonstop flights,” LoPiccolo said. “In any market, they are the lowest-cost air flights.”

On Friday, Allegiant’s website showed a $94 round-trip fare, excluding taxes and fees, for a flight from Eugene to Oakland, leaving on Monday, May 7, and returning Friday, May 11. United Airlines’ website showed flights between the same two cities on the same dates, for a $634 fare, excluding taxes and fees.

“Allegiant has a really unique business model,” LoPiccolo said. “They’re not just an airline company; they offer (travel) packages, which allows them to offer the lowest cost for airfare.”

Hughson, of COVA, hopes Allegiant will eventually offer more than twice-weekly flights to and from Oakland as the number of travelers increases.

The Bay Area and Northern California have been identified by COVA as a key market for visitors coming to Central Oregon, she said.

“COVA is putting together a very comprehensive marketing blitz in the Bay Area to drive inbound travel,” she said. “Having those Allegiant flights adding to our accessibility to the Bay Area is perfect timing.”

Although flights aren’t expected to start until the end of April, Hughson said travelers can start planning their trips, booking flights as early as Tuesday.