Temporary pause and restart
In December, app2drive temporarily suspended its operations. The interruption caused noticeable uncertainty in general aviation, as the service has established itself as a permanent fixture at many airports in recent years. Now it is clear: app2drive is back. Since the restart, the familiar hire vehicles can be used again as usual at the participating airports.
The resumption of operations was made possible by a change of ownership. The app2drive brand was taken over by Nova Succession GmbH from Celle. The new ownership structure has created the basis for continuing the service in a stable manner and ramping up operations again.
Continuity for existing users
For existing customers, the restart brings one thing above all: continuity. The existing user accounts remain in place and can continue to be used. The tried-and-tested digital usage concept has also been retained. Vehicles can still be booked, opened and billed exclusively via the smartphone app. Paperwork, counter staff or fixed opening hours are irrelevant.
This consistent digitalisation has been a key feature of app2drive right from the start and remains so even after the change of ownership. The service is therefore also suitable for flights at short notice or spontaneously, where arrival times cannot always be planned precisely.
One-way rentals as a decisive advantage
A major advantage of app2drive is the option of one-way hire. The rental and return stations do not have to be identical, but can be selected individually. This is a decisive advantage for general aviation, for example in the case of cross-country flights, transfers or weather-related changes to plans.
While classic car hire offers at airports are often designed for round trips or require high additional costs for one-way trips, this model is an integral part of the concept at app2drive. This significantly increases flexibility and fits in well with the reality of flight operations.
Specially tailored to general aviation
app2drive closes a gap that many pilots know from their own experience. Traditional car hire providers are often not represented at all at small and medium-sized airports or are only available at limited times. Delayed landings, early morning departures or unplanned diversions can quickly lead to a situation where no vehicle is available.
Station-based car sharing directly at the airport avoids these problems. The vehicles are available immediately after landing and can be used without having to wait. The service is therefore aimed specifically at the needs of both visual flight and instrument flight pilots, for whom time, weather and slot situations play a major role.
Prospects under new management
The new start is also associated with the hope of further developing the range of services. The new management has flying experience, which is a factor that should not be underestimated in general aviation. A deep understanding of operational processes, typical travel profiles and the special requirements of pilots can contribute to the practical development of the system.
Additional locations, an expansion of the vehicle fleet or new tariff models that are even more tailored to the GA community are conceivable in the future. In view of increasing demands for sustainable mobility, the integration of alternative drive systems could also play a role in the long term.
Significance for the GA infrastructure
The relaunch of app2drive is more than just the return of a car sharing service. It strengthens the infrastructure of general aviation as a whole. Good ground mobility is a decisive factor for the attractiveness of airports, especially outside major commercial airports. It facilitates business trips, private excursions and training flights in equal measure.
The fact that app2drive is once again reliably providing this component is therefore a positive signal for pilots and aerodrome operators alike. The service helps to bridge the last mile between the aerodrome and the destination efficiently and flexibly - an aspect that is often crucial in everyday general aviation.
Source references:
Aviation magazine
