The Emirates Air Line cable car service spanning the River Thames between Greenwich and the Royal Docks will open to the public on June 28.
Emirates has sponsored the UK’s first urban cable car at a cost of £36 million for a ten-year period.
The carrier has also become the first commercial entity to have its name included on the London Underground map – the two new stations constructed for the service have been named Emirates Greenwich Peninsula and Emirates Royal Docks.
The 1.1km crossing will open at midday on Thursday June 28, initially operating daily from 0700 to 2100 Monday to Friday, 0800 to 2100 on Saturday, and 0900 to 2100 on Sunday.
Travellers will be able to use pay-as-you go Oyster cards to touch in and out, at a cost of £3.20 for a single journey (£4.30 for a cash single fare), although those making more than five journeys in a week will be charged at a lower rate of £1.60
Travelcard and Freedom Pass holders will need to purchase a separate 'boarding pass' charged at the Oyster fare, and a ten-journey frequent flyer pass will also be available for £16.
TfL says the Emirates Air Line will have the capacity to carry up to 2,500 people per hour in each direction, and confirmed that there will be “extended opening hours when there are events at the local venues, including Olympic events”. All cabins are wheelchair accessible, and can accommodate up to two bicycles.
It's not the first time Emirates has struck a major sponsorship deal in the capital - in 2008 the carrier replaced BA's iconic model of Concorde on the roundabout by the entrance to Heathrow, with an Emirates-branded A380 superjumbo (see online news July 24, 2008). Emirates also sponsors Arsenal Football Club's stadium and shirts.
For more information visit tfl.gov.uk, emirates.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
