Detroit Metro Airport Adds Two More Rental Car Companies On-site

Budget and Enterprise move car rental operations onto airport campus

DETROIT, March 18 -- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is welcoming two more on-airport rental car companies to its on- site campus. Budget Rental Car moved its operation from Wickham Rd. in Romulus, to the airport's Lucas Drive campus on March 11. Enterprise is finalizing construction of its on-airport facility, which will also be located on the airport's northeast side on Lucas Drive, and should be complete by the end of this month.

Budget and Enterprise join Alamo, Avis, Dollar, Hertz and National, to bring to seven the number of rental car companies offering on-airport service, and free shuttle operations to and from DTW's central campus, located on Lucas Drive, off of Middlebelt Road.

"This is a win-win-win move for the rental car companies, the airport and most importantly our customers," said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Lester Robinson. "By making the move to our on-airport campus, Budget and Enterprise improve both their market presence and operational efficiency. The airport capitalizes on additional concessions revenue it collects from the companies, and our customers receive additional choices for rental car services that are closer to the terminals and more convenient to use."

New rental car concessions contracts, which took effect in January of 2003, helped facilitate the changes. Budget won the bid for space created when Alamo and National consolidated their operations on Lucas Drive in 2002. Enterprise won the bid for space the airport created by closing an older overflow economy parking lot.

"This is another undertaking in our ongoing endeavor to capitalize on non- airline revenue sources," said Robinson. "While passenger numbers are gradually starting to return, we are doing all we can to keep airline costs low, and maintain a competitive marketplace."

Like the five rental car companies already operating on-airport, Budget and Enterprise will also provide free shuttle service to all of Detroit Metro Airport's terminals and have pick-up phones available in the terminal luggage claim and ground transportation areas.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is undergoing one of the most dramatic transformations of any airport anywhere. In addition to the new 97- gate Edward H. McNamara Terminal / Northwest World Gateway, the airport has also recently opened a new 10,000 ft. runway, a new airport south access road, John Dingell Dr., and a new 400-room luxury-class Westin Hotel at the airport. With the creation of the new Wayne County Airport Authority, and future terminal projects planned, Metro Airport is quickly positioning itself as one of the finest air transportation gateways in the world.

For a map of the new rental car company locations, please contact Brian Lassaline at (734) 247-7274.

See more about the new Detroit Metro Airport on the web at www.metroairport.com or call (734) AIRPORT, during regular business hours, for general airport information.