London Gatwick Airport launches new peer-to-peer car rental service

UK. London Gatwick Airport has announced a new peer-to-peer car rental service allowing travellers to rent out their vehicles to others while they are away.

Following a successful trial period, the airport is partnering with start-up company Car & Away to provide the new ‘Rent & Earn’ service.

Travellers can register for the service at gatwickparking.com. They will be provided with information about Car & Away’s qualifying criteria and the rental process. Their vehicle will also receive a mini valet service, irrespective of whether it is booked for hire while parked at the airport.

Renters can find Car & Away’s available vehicles at Gatwick via the company’s partner Rentalcars.com. Suitable vehicles are then available for collection from dedicated Car & Away parking bays in the South Terminal valet arrivals area.

The airport company estimated that small vehicle owners could earn up to £80 per week in rental income and owners of larger cars up to twice that amount.

Car & Away ensures all vehicles are fully insured, cleaned and meet Royal Automobile Club (RAC) approved vehicle roadworthiness checks before being offered to renters. Octo Telematics systems are also installed to monitor vehicle driving patterns.

When returned, the vehicle undergoes the same checking processes. It is then ready for the owner to collect in the Car & Away parking bays.

Gatwick Airport Head of Car Parking Gary Wallace said: “We are always searching for ways to provide new, innovative and ground-breaking services so we are pleased to be hosting this exciting new scheme with Car & Away.

“The new service offers passengers an alternative option when it comes to renting vehicles from the airport and gives them a chance to offset their parking costs.

“Our goal is to help as many people as possible to travel for less, in a convenient way, and airport peer-to-peer car sharing services are another way of achieving this.”

Car & Away Founder and CEO Andy Hibbert added: “We’re all used to, and comfortable with, the sharing economy. Many of us share our homes via Airbnb and some even share their most personal of possessions – pets – via the likes of borrowmydoggy.com.

“Sharing a car while people go away isn’t such a big step. Especially when owners not only make money out of it but benefit from dropping the car right next to the terminal and get a professional valet to boot.

“For renters we provide a great alternative service that saves time, money and provides you with the exact car you book – not a ‘similar’ one. Our early customer feedback really shows us why these things matter. When it comes to renting cars, together with our partners, we provide a service where everyone wins.”

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