The Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) has been selected to host the 11th international aviation meet 'Routes Asia' in 2013.

The event is expected to bring in a number of visitors to the city from airlines, airports and tourism industries who will discuss and explore opportunities for airline route development, MIAL said in a statement today.

"We are pleased to note that MIAL has been selected as the host airport for Routes Asia 2013. This is noteworthy, because besides being one of the busiest airports in South Asia, it has also emerged as one of the most significant aviation hubs in the region," MIAL Managing Director and Vice-chairman of promoter GVK group, GV Sanjay Reddy, said.

The event is expected to enhance Mumbai's status as a critical business hub, besides improving the status of MIAL with the completion of the T2 integrated passenger terminal in 2013. Besides, it will also help reinforce MIAL position as the country's foremost airport, he said.

"Hosting Routes Asia 2013 will not only give us the opportunity to showcase airport to a diverse group of industry professionals across the globe but also provide tremendous tourism-related economic benefits to the city," MIAL CEO Rajeev Jain said.

Routes Asia has been attended by leading airports and airlines for the past 17 years as it offers an opportunity for business meetings between airports and airlines from Asia.

"We are delighted to bring Routes Asia to India once again as this market is a key strategic focus for the Routes business. We have worked with the GVK team for many years on their presence at our events," Routes Executive Vice-president for airports David Stroud said.

Routes organises airline and airport networking events through its regional and global Route Development Forums. Each year there is one global event and one regional event in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and the CIS respectively.

Routes was founded in 1995 as part of the Manchester-based ASM, a consultancy specialising in the field of route development for airports.