The tarmac is heating up at Australia's newest public airport, with flights from the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport near Toowomba now departing.

Family firm Wagners has spent $200 million through its own construction business to build the new airport on what was just a stretch of farmland on the Darling Downs.

It is the first public airport to be fully funded by the private sector, and Australia’s most recent since Melbourne's Tullamarine facility over 45 years ago.

Qantas is on board, operating 11 return flights a week.

The Wagners have plenty more plans for the area, and say the airport is just the first step toward a new export-based business hub.

Already some Queensland business are working on logistical agreements around the airport, in the hope that they can cut travel times for exporting fish to live Chinese markets, for example.

Local politicians and business-owners have welcomed the new airport, saying it will bring a big boost to the regional economy.