CAR rental network Connect has revealed soaring demand for its online reservations, with nearly half of all bookings now made over the internet. The firm saw an overall increase by 25,000 in the past year, from 75,000 in 1999 to 100,000 last year, of which 43,000 were internet bookings.

Adrian Duthie, managing director of the firm, said: 'Early indications for the first quarter of 2001 show that the fuel crisis was an isolated incident, with signs of a healthy revival. January shows a 10% year-on-year increase in bookings, with the internet accounting for more than 50% of overall bookings.'

Connect Car Rental expects to announce new industry partnerships later this spring in the USA and Australia. Current industry partners include easyJet and European Air Express.