New peer-to-peer car rental available at Gatwick airport

n partnership with Car & Away, London Gatwick is the first UK airport to host a new peer-to-peer car rental scheme, allowing people to rent out their vehicles while they are travelling.

Following a successful trial period, the airport is providing a new ‘Rent & Earn’ service for passengers, alongside other existing long stay parking options. This scheme enables small vehicle owners to earn up to £80 per week in rental income, while owners of larger cars can expect to earn up to £160.

Gatwick Airport’s Head of Car Parking, Gary Wallace, said: “We are always searching for ways to provide new, innovative and ground breaking services. 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.”

Upon registering for the service, the vehicle owner is provided with information about Car & Away’s qualifying criteria and details on the renting process. Their vehicle will also receive a mini valet service, regardless of whether it is booked for hire.

When a suitable hire match is found, the vehicle is available for collection from dedicated parking bays located in the South Terminal. Car & Away ensures all vehicles are fully insured, cleaned and meet Royal Automobile Club (RAC) approved vehicle roadworthiness checks, before being offered for rental. Octo Telematics systems are also installed to monitor the vehicle driving patterns.

Once the renter returns, the vehicle passes through the same checking processes and is waiting for the owner in the dedicated bays upon their return from holiday.

Car & Away Founder and CEO, Andy Hibbert, said: “We’re all used to, and comfortable with, the sharing economy. Many of us share our homes via Airbnb and some even share their pets. So, 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.”