Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Rental Cars Remain Idle in Arizona During Coronavirus Pandemic

With the Coronavirus pandemic causing a halt in travel, hundreds of unused rental vehicles are parked at several lots around Phoenix. Springtime is usually a busy tourist season for Arizona.

April 1, 2020
Rental Cars Remain Idle in Arizona During Coronavirus Pandemic

Car rentals nationwide are down 80%.

Photo courtesy of Brian McGloin/U.S. Air Force.

1 min to read


Hundreds of unused rental vehicles are parked at the special events lots at Arizona’s Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, according to a report by USA Today. The Coronavirus pandemic has caused Arizona’s normally busy spring travel season to come to a halt.

In addition to parking at the airport’s special events lots, rental car companies are also using parking spots at the airport’s rental car center, lots on Tonto and Madison streets, the private lot at the former Phoenix Greyhound Park, and lots at Goodyear Airport to store their unused vehicles, Heather Shelbrack, Sky Harbor Airport spokeswoman, told USA Today.

Ad Loading...

“What you’re seeing at Sky Harbor is being repeated across the nation at many different airports,” Gregory Scott, spokesman for the American Car Rental Association (ACRA), told USA Today. 

Car rentals nationwide are down 80%, according to Scott. 

Another issue facing the rental car industry is the airport fee charged to companies operating at the airport. Most rental companies’ airport contracts include a guaranteed minimum on those fees – usually around 10% of their expected yearly gross revenue, according to Scott. 

More Rental Operations

A tech collage of electronic devices against a computer chip blueprint map.
Rental OperationsMay 1, 2026

Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds

The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.

Read More →
A tech collage of electronic devices against a computer chip blueprint map.
Rental OperationsMay 1, 2026

Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds

The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.

Read More →
A black Audi SUV superimposed on a historic scene from downtown Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Carwiz Sets Up Rental Operations In Central Asia

The global franchise operation reaches a first in its rental fleet portfolio with new service in Uzbekistan.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A raging brushfire in the countryside.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueApril 30, 2026

Where Rental Fleets Must Adjust To Shifting Catastrophe Risks

West Coast disasters pose unique challenges and liabilities for rental fleet operators, who are advised to take steps tailored to their specific situations.

Read More →
ARN Industry Newsmakers thumbnail page with ARN and ICRS logos and shots of Nick DiPrima and Martin Romjue
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueApril 27, 2026

Using AI To Find Rental Car Damage

Angry car renters are storming social media, the mainstream media, and online ratings platforms to complain about charges they claim are either unfounded or excessive.

Read More →
Photo of CEO Krešimir Dobrilović against a gray modernist crooked-tile mural display.

Carwiz Opens Car Rental Service In Panama

A Carwiz partner in Puerto Rico is taking on the Panama franchise with operations in the nation's largest airport.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A world map with Flexways logo and new locations headline.

Flexways Opens 10 Locations Among Franchise, Affiliate Rental Networks

The integrated business model combines each operator’s local expertise with international standards to boost sales.

Read More →
Photo of a suitcase, passport, and smartphone.

Traveler Customer Satisfaction Up This Year Data Study Shows

The study looks at customer analytics to size up performance in car rentals, rideshare, airlines, lodging, and OTAs.

Read More →
A rental car between two placards showing a symbolic revenue increase from $300 to $1600.

New Consulting Company Ready To Boost Point-of-Sale Revenue

Revcuity, an outgrowth of Frontline Performance Group, aims to help clients capture more revenue moments with face-to-face customers, including in the car rental space.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Martin Romjue stands at conference stage podium close to a dangling, glistening chandelier.
Rental Operationsby StaffApril 15, 2026

Meet The (Semi-New) ARN Editor

Martin Romjue has been editing and reporting for ARN since 2023 and fully transitioned to the role of chairman of the International Car Rental Show in 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...