SUPPORT continues to grow for fly-in fly-out air services between the Sunshine Coast and Central Queensland's mining centres, with more major employers joining the push.

Australia's largest resources firm, BHP Billiton, and fellow mining giant BMA last week confirmed the Sunshine Coast was on their list of possibilities for charter services as a growing number of locals grabbed jobs in mining.

The local branch of the UDIA yesterday added its support, alongside Shadforth's Civil Contractors director Geoff Shadforth, who has a large number of staff working in the mining regions.

The owner of Coast-based fly-in fly-out airline Aeromil, Steve Padgett, said he would leap at the chance to secure a tender flying mine workers to and from the Coast - news welcomed by UDIA branch president Frazer Dean.

He said his branch had met with a number of local developers and consultants and it was clear that flights to Gladstone, Mackay and other mining centres would receive high patronage from the local development sector.

"We think it's a fantastic opportunity for local workers and the local economy," Mr Dean said.

"Ultimately we could offer a fly-in , fly-out service direct to the Surat or Bowen Basin coalface which, when combined with the idyllic Sunshine Coast lifestyle, would be a very attractive option to mining company employees."

Mr Dean said he was keen to discuss the proposition with mining magnate Clive Palmer when he visited the Coast this week.

"The UDIA is keen to work with the airport, council, mining companies and other key stakeholders to secure these flights for our region."

Shadforth's Civil Contractors director Geoff Shadforth said flights to mining towns would make a "real impact" on the lifestyles of Coast people in fly-in fly out arrangements.

"Due to the current economic climate here on the Sunshine Coast, a vast number of our local staff work outside the region in locations such as Mackay, Emerald and Gladstone," he said.

"The ability to fly out from the Sunshine Coast would mean more time with family and friends actually having a life and maximising their time off.

"It would also address the issues with fatigue and safety associated with driving to Brisbane to catch a flight north.

"We'd really like to see these flights happen sooner and it's great that the airport and council are pursuing this matter."