Hertz UAE has announced the opening of a new car rental location at Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai World Central, the venue for the Dubai World Expo 2020.

Located in Jebel Ali and spanning 140 square kms, DWC will comprise a fully self-sustained economic zone supporting a multitude of activities around its landmark Al Maktoum International.

Upon completion, the airport will be the world’s largest, operating five runways with a capacity to handle 160 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually.

The new Hertz location, its 19th in the UAE, will capitalise on the increasing amount of air traffic and business flowing through DWC, which already has one runway operational and recently welcomed its first passenger airlines, Wizz Air and Jazeera Airways in October this year.

Gulf Air has also announced launch of operations while Qatar Airways is expected to start services to DWC in early 2014.

Hertz, the world’s largest general-use car rental brand, will be the first to capitalise on its new location following Dubai’s successful bid for the World Expo 2020, as some 25 million visitors descend upon DWC’s Dubai Trade Centre for the showpiece global event.

Nigel Johnson, general manager, Hertz UAE, said: “The new Hertz UAE location at Dubai World Central is an important step for us as we continue to expand our car rental network across strategic locations with key business links.

“This is our 5th airport location in the UAE, and establishing an early presence here is crucial; a booming regional aviation sector underpins our expansion strategy.

“Not only is DWC home to what soon will be the largest world-class airport in the world, it is also a fully integrated economic zone supporting logistics, aviation, commercial, exhibition, humanitarian, residential and leisure related businesses.”