KAILUA-KONA — Alaska Airlines will commence new, nonstop service between Sacramento, California, and Kailua-Kona starting later this year.

The new service, which is scheduled to begin Dec. 20, will be the only nonstop flight offered between the two destinations with a flight frequency of three times a week, the airline said Tuesday. Alaska currently offers nonstop service from Sacramento to Maui.

“We look forward to Alaska Airlines’ new route from Sacramento to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole launching this winter,” said Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau Executive Director Ross Birch. “This will give travelers an additional nonstop avenue between the island of Hawaii and the West Coast, and support continued demand from Northern California. With this service, visitors can easily experience our destination’s rich culture and history, diverse climate zones, outdoor adventures and small town communities.”

Mark Haneke, manager of air service development and marketing for Sacramento International Airport, said the scheduled service to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport is the airport’s first such to Hawaii Island.

Alaska Airlines said it averages 29 daily departures to the Hawaiian Islands from 10 West Coast cities, which includes six California destinations: Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland. Tickets went on sale Tuesday.