THE new Wellcamp Airport in Toowoomba, set to be up and running in the second half of next year, is good news for the Southern Downs.

The airport, just an hour's drive from Warwick, would prove to have a positive flow-on affect to the surrounding regions, Southern Downs Regional Council director of planning and environment Ken Harris said.

"This is definitely positive for Warwick and the Southern Downs," Mr Harris said.

"The Southern Downs is within easy reach of Toowoomba, Australia's largest inland city after Canberra and some of the economic benefits that Toowoomba receives are likely to spill over to the Southern Downs."

He said the closeness of the airport would make the Southern Downs ideal for those who work in the mines on a fly in, fly out rotation.

"There may be potential for the Southern Downs Region to participate in the development and operations of the facility as well as the benefits it may bring for FIFO and/or increased tourism," he said.

"The airport will significantly reduce travel times to and from key tourism markets for the region and may provide incentives to increase visitor numbers.

"There is also the possibility for increased FIFO into the Surat Basin and this offers a range of affordable and quality lifestyle options in the Southern Downs.

"It will also complement existing activities being undertaken in the economic development unit to enhance access to Surat Basin supply chains as well as FIFO opportunities."

Mr Harris said the new airport, with its capability of taking jets up to Boeing 747s, would also present increased export trade opportunities of high value products to current and emerging global markets.

"This may include specialised/premium line of some fruit and vegetable crops," he said.