American Airlines announced Thursday it plans to launch a new new non-stop flight between Redmond’s Roberts Field and Los Angeles International Airport. The news follows a frenzied 12-day fundraising effort that raised more than $350,000 in advance ticket sales.

American’s Director of Government relations Dale Morris was on hand to make the announcement. Morris says the service will launch June 12 with a 50-seat commuter flight leaving Redmond each morning and returning in the evening.

The push to secure the flight was led by the group Economic Development for Central Oregon. But there was also plenty of help – from local chambers of commerce to city and county governments.

Deschutes County Commissioner Alan Unger commended those partners for stepping up. Unger called regional air service the number two economic generator for Central Oregon.

“I don’t really care what number one is, you guys can fight over that,” said Unger. “But If you can’t get in and out of Central Oregon, number one just wouldn’t be number one.”

The Central Oregon Visitors Association says it’ll promote the flights by advertising in the LA market.

This story originally appeared on Oregon Public Broadcasting.