Flights to San Francisco from North Bend were made official on Wednesday afternoon, with a starting date for the first flight on July 7.

Tickets will go on sale beginning today.

Coos County Airport District Board Commissioners Clair Jones and Helen Brunell Mineau made the announcement during a press conference at the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport terminal.

“We want to make this official — nonstop Sky West United Express service to San Francisco,” said a breathless Jones. “So buy your tickets now!”

Two flights will leave North Bend, and two will depart from San Francisco daily. The earliest flight will depart Southwest Oregon Regional at 7:25 a.m. and arrive in San Francisco at 9:20 a.m. A second flight will depart from North Bend at 5:40 p.m., arriving in San Francisco at 7:35 p.m.

The early flight from San Francisco will depart at 11:05 a.m. and arrive in North Bend at 12:49 p.m. The evening flight will depart San Francisco at 8:15 p.m. and arrive in North Bend at 9:59 p.m.

The additional flights will coincide with the opening of a new $17 million terminal, also slated for July.

San Francisco flights in North Bend were announced at the same time that Klamath Falls International Airport’s four daily flights to and from San Francisco were made official.

“Sky West United Express is pleased to offer what travelers want — new, convenient, nonstop service to more places in the U.S.,” said Mike Thompson, Sky West’s vice president, market development, in a press release. “This summer, United Express Klamath and North Bend passengers can enjoy access to the City by the Bay — and beyond.”

Jones, who has been on the Airport District Board since its inception in 2002, and on the North Bend City Council for 11 years prior to that, said he has waited more than 25 years for the airport to offer southbound service. In the early 1980s, prior to deregulation, United Airlines provided service to the Bay Area in California, he said, but then the company pulled out of the smaller regions and moved to larger cities.

“They went to a hub system,” Jones said, adding, “It’s getting back to regional now, with these express lines.”

Jones thanked the private, public and corporate sectors for supporting the idea — both financially and verbally — and told Coos County residents, “Use it with enthusiasm.”

Estimates have shown there will be a 70- to 80-percent initial occupancy, according to LeTellier.

He said studies have indicated a 50-percent leakage of passengers choosing to fly from other cities such as Portland, Medford, Eugene and Salem, where the airports offer flights into California.

“One hundred ten thousand tickets are sold a year in this market area, but only 50,000 from here,” LeTellier said. “We’re certainly pleased, but in the next year we have to show we have moved passengers from that leakage column.”

Horizon Air, which offers daily flights to Portland from Southwest Oregon Regional, shouldn’t be affected by the San Francisco flights, according to Jones.

“I think there’s enough leakage out of this area, and enough passengers to go around,” Jones said. “We’ve got a southbound carrier coming, and now we’ve got to make it work for the next 12 months.”

The San Francisco connection gives passengers access to more than 70 destinations, Sky West’s press release said.

Hank Hickox, general manager of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, which depends on the airport to bring in golfers and vacationers from across the country, said he was thrilled with Sky West’s decision.

“This is a project that’s been under way for about three years,” Hickox said. “It supports travel to the area in tandem with the people who come to the area to go to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.”

Sky West is currently offering flights on Embraer twin-engine turbo airplanes that will seat 30 passengers, but Hickox said he hopes for larger aircraft in the future.

Hickox said Bandon Dunes already spent $50,000 on a transportation study, and gave $37,500 to the South Coast Development Council, which is administering $75,000 that came from local businesses for marketing the airline.

In regards to the additional $250,000 the airport district has pledged to Sky West, Hickox said, “We will step up to the plate.”

“It’s a wonderful opportunity connecting to Southern California and the rest of the country,” he said. “So we’re not recycling our own dollars. It’s new business.”

Tickets on Sky West’s flights to San Francisco can be purchased starting today, online at www.united.com or by calling (800) 241-6522.