GHIAL, with support from the Andhra Pradesh government and other local companies and organizations, has bid for hosting the year 2009 event in Hyderabad. Officials of Routes are visiting the city this month to do a site-inspection to explore possible venues and plan to meet officials from the Tourism Ministry and various other partners crucial to hosting the event like airline, logistic and infrastructure companies.

Routes Forum was founded by UK- based Route Development Group, according to a company statement. It is an annual gathering of over 350 global airlines, as well as about 650 airports located across the world.

The conference would revolve around a series of formal, productive, and pre-arranged one-to-one meetings and interactions between airports and airline companies. These are interspersed with social occasions to create further informal networking opportunities. Decision-makers from airports and airlines, representatives from other sectors such as tourism, business and economic development boards are expected to participate in the event.

The conference would also deliberate on how best to enhance air services and meet the growing needs of local business, industry, tourism, research organizations and other sectors.

GHIAL Chief Operating officer T Srinagesh said the opportunity would help showcase the huge potential Andhra Pradesh has in the areas of business, trade, IT, biotech, agriculture, food-processing, and tourism.