News & Features
New Accessible Airport Vehicle Hire Service Launches at Major UK Airports
Posted in News on Monday, May 18th, 2026
A new partnership between Specialist Vehicle Rental and Maple Parking, developed with the support of Disabled Motoring UK, has launched the UK’s first dedicated airport accessible vehicle hire service.
The new service is now available at Heathrow Airport (Terminals 2, 3 and 5), Gatwick Airport and Manchester Airport, with plans to expand to additional airports in the future.
The initiative has been created to improve travel options for disabled people, families and carers by providing wheelchair accessible and adapted vehicles directly at the airport terminal. Until now, many disabled people have faced difficulties securing suitable transport when flying.
Under the new arrangement, customers can choose between two services:
- Meet & Greet: [ZR1] an adapted or wheelchair accessible vehicle is delivered directly to the airport terminal on arrival.
- Vehicle Collection: passengers collect a pre-booked adapted vehicle from a dedicated airport location.
Bookings can be made through either Specialist Vehicle Rental or Maple Parking, with journeys tailored to individual accessibility requirements.
Juggy Kudhail, Founder and CEO of Specialist Vehicle Rental, said the partnership had been developed to give disabled passengers greater confidence and independence when travelling. - “We have worked incredibly hard to make this a reality. Every passenger deserves to travel with confidence and independence, and this partnership with Maple Parking is our commitment to making that possible.”
DMUK CEO, Graham Footer welcomed the launch and highlighted the importance of accessible transport options at airports. - “This is a significant moment for disabled travellers. Having a dedicated accessible vehicle waiting at the airport is something our community has needed for a very long time.”
The service combines Maple Parking’s existing airport operations with SVR’s fleet of adapted and wheelchair accessible vehicles. The partners say the aim is to offer disabled travellers the same level of convenience currently available through standard airport vehicle hire services.
The service is available immediately at Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester airports, with further UK airport locations expected to be announced in due course.
For more information, visit SVR Accessible Airport Vehicle Hire.
Leave a reply
* indicates a required field
Comments
NIGEL BLAIR
Sunday, May, 24th, 2026
Having been reading the above article I would like to know if the adapted vehicle being made available will be automatic SUV’s also will the vehicles adapted be with electric hoists in the boot to be able to be lift electric mobility scooters into & out off the boots taking the weight off scooters which are used by disabled adults off 25 stone plus, apparently we can put our scooters into the aircraft luggage storage area as we have just had such a dreadful experience with travelling by Stena from Ireland