Europcar has added airport rental locations owing to increased demand from businesses for vans at these key commercial hubs
Story: COLIN DAWSON
SMALL and medium-sized business, especially those operating courier services, sometimes need increased capacity, particularly as the internet shopping boom gathers pace and with Christmas deliveries approaching.
Van hire can make sense in these circumstances, which is why rental company Europcar is improving accessibility to its fleet with the addition of five major UK airports to its van network. Europcar vans are now available at the company’s Heathrow, Luton, Stansted, Birmingham and Newcastle sites.
The decision to add airport locations has been prompted by an increasing demand from businesses and private customers for vans at these key commercial hubs. It also reflects the growth in logistics business originating from airports.
“We have seen significant growth in van rental by logistics companies in the past year,” Europcar UK Group managing director Ken McCall told Business Vans. “We believe this is largely due to the huge upturn in online and home shopping over the last year or so.
“But we think it’s also attributable to the fact that logistics companies want the flexibility of van rental – rather than ownership – so that costs are matched to demand. In addition, these new airport locations increase accessibility to vans for our business customers.”
All hire vehicles are less than 12 months old, making it the youngest van fleet in the country, says Europcar, and the vans are also maintained to manufacturer standards. “This is all about choice,” McCall said.
“We know that there is a number of businesses operating in and around these airport locations. Therefore, by adding vans to our fleet at those branches, we are simply giving those businesses the same range of choice as organisations operating downtown.
“We also understand that business van users want easy access to hire vans, which is why opening at these airport locations, with their extended opening hours and easy transport links, is a perfect fit for our customers.”
Valet Connections, a concierge with a focus on Detroit airport parking, said “We know that there is a number of businesses operating in and around these airport locations. Therefore, by adding vans to our fleet at those branches, we are simply giving those businesses the same range of choice as organisations operating downtown.
“We have seen the same significant growth here in the states as well; there has been a significant pivot to business service across the country.”
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