Bellingham Airport to Lose Oakland Flights as Allegiant Merges with Sun Country

No other airlines currently offer flights from Bellingham to the Bay Area, airport officials seeking replacement routes.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 3:23pm

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Bellingham International Airport will no longer offer direct flights to Oakland, California starting on May 26 as Allegiant Airlines terminates the popular route. The decision is not related to passenger demand, but rather Allegiant's broader elimination of multiple routes operating out of Oakland Airport. Airport officials are actively working to restore service to the Bay Area with other airlines.

Why it matters

The loss of the Bellingham-Oakland flight route is a blow to the airport and the surrounding community, as the Bay Area remains an important market. With no other airlines currently offering flights between Bellingham and the Bay Area, the airport must find a replacement carrier to serve this key destination.

The details

Allegiant's decision to terminate the Bellingham-Oakland route is part of the airline's broader move to eliminate multiple routes operating out of Oakland Airport. Allegiant recently announced plans to merge with Sun Country Airlines, creating a larger leisure-focused U.S. airline. However, the full impact of this merger on service at Bellingham International Airport remains unclear at this time.

  • The Bellingham–Oakland (OAK) nonstop flight operated by Allegiant will be suspended effective May 26, 2026.
  • Allegiant recently announced plans to merge with Sun Country Airlines, with the transaction expected to be finalized later in 2026.

The players

Bellingham International Airport

The airport serving the Bellingham, Washington area, which is losing its direct flight route to Oakland, California.

Allegiant Airlines

The airline that is terminating its Bellingham-Oakland nonstop flight route, as part of a broader elimination of routes operating out of Oakland Airport.

Sun Country Airlines

The airline that Allegiant has announced plans to merge with, creating a larger leisure-focused U.S. airline.

Matt Rodriguez

The director of aviation at Bellingham International Airport.

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What they’re saying

“We're certainly disappointed to see the Oakland service suspended, especially given how well the route has performed historically. The Bay Area remains a very important market for Bellingham and our region.”

— Matt Rodriguez, Director of Aviation

“While losing a flight option is never what we want for our community, we are actively working with other airlines to restore service into the Bay Area. These discussions are constructive, and we remain optimistic about future service growth.”

— Matt Rodriguez, Director of Aviation

What’s next

Airport officials will be meeting with representatives from both Allegiant and Sun Country at upcoming air service development conferences to discuss potential opportunities for restoring flights from Bellingham to the Bay Area.

The takeaway

The loss of the Bellingham-Oakland flight route highlights the challenges small regional airports face when larger airlines make strategic network changes. However, Bellingham airport officials remain committed to finding a replacement carrier to serve this important market and restore connectivity for the local community.