THE AirAsia X airline service to the Gold Coast from Malaysia will inject around $50 million into the local economy.

Based on a proposed three flights per week from Kuala Lumpur, the airline will have a significant impact on the region's business, conference and accommodation sectors.

State Tourism Minister Margaret Keech recently visited the Malaysian capital to pitch the benefits of flying direct to the Gold Coast to the airline's senior executives.

"I visited Kuala Lumpur recently to personally lobby AirAsia X's senior executive on behalf of the Queensland Government, promoting the benefits of making Queensland its first Australian destination," says Keech.

"In those discussions, I highlighted Queensland's first-class airport facilities, world-renowned tourist attractions, fabulous climate and friendly people.

"Regardless of the outcome, I'm confident the Gold Coast will be a winner. The Gold Coast is well suited as an initial Australian destination, being a natural fit with AirAsia X's focus on leisure travellers," she says.

AirAsia X is a new, long-haul budget airline set to launch flights in the coming months to cities in China, India, the UK and Europe. Its arrival in Australia coincides with low-cost carrier Tiger Airways, which has timed its inaugural flight into the Coast with the peak summer holiday season in November.

Tiger Air will fly 29 weekly direct services from Melbourne into Rockhampton, Mackay and the Gold Coast, competing with Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar for a slice of the budget carrier market.

Gold Coast Airport chief operating officer Paul Donovan says the inclusion of the Asian airline reinforces the increasing appeal of the Gold Coast in the market place and demonstrates the potential organisations such as Tiger Airways see in the growth of the destination.

"We are thrilled we will soon be welcoming Tiger Airways into the Gold Coast - it will not only provide additional low-cost services for domestic travellers, but also give locals the opportunity to fly from the Gold Coast," says Donovan.

"The runway extension and the imminent terminal expansion augured well for a positive decision from Tiger Airways, but ultimately it was the lure of this fantastic destination and all it has to offer that finally clinched the deal."

Donovan says the Gold Coast Airport is 'on a roll' and is looking forward to implementing further developments, such as AirAsia X, that will contribute to
the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast economies through tourism, hospitality
and business opportunities.

"Our city is leading the way for Australian destinations and the continued involvement and investment by companies such as Tiger Airways demonstrates a real confidence in the future of our city," he says.

"In this environment of massive competition for the tourism dollar, the Gold Coast's strategic, innovative and cohesive approach to increasing visitor numbers and visitor spend is the key to our success. We are pleased to have Tiger Airways onboard as a contributor to that success."

Keech says Australia's newest domestic carrier is a coup for Queensland, set to encourage an increase in Melbourne visitors to the region over summer.

"It shows how vital Queensland destinations are to the airline in its start-up phase. The hard work of the regional airports involved, and Tourism Queensland, has paid off and we hope this is just the start of a wonderful association between Queensland and Tiger Airways," she says.