Emirates cable car launches in UK

DHAKA: Emirates Air Line, the UK’s first urban cable car, has been launched, bringing a new and innovative way to cross London’s River Thames.
 
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson inaugurated the the cable car on 28 June.
 
Boris Johnson, Emirates Airline President Tim Clark joined Peter Hendy CBE, London’s Transport Commissioner, on the first official Emirates Air Line flight this morning.
 
As of today, passengers can take a “flight” up to 90 metres above one of the world’s most famous waterways, capturing dramatic views of the City, Canary Wharf, historic Greenwich, the Thames Barrier and the Olympic Park.
 
The new river crossing in east London can be used by pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists. Every 30 seconds, they can board one of the 34 cabins from two brand new terminals, Emirates Greenwich Peninsula and Emirates Royal Docks. A journey across the 1.1 kilometre cable line takes up to 10 minutes.
 
“It is exhilarating to see the Emirates Air Line take flight for the first time today,” said Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline. “It reflects Emirates’ philosophy of connecting people through exciting, innovative and shared experiences, and will provide residents, commuters and visitors alike with a unique perspective of London”, he added.
 
Emirates’ AED 204 million (£36m) sponsorship of the cable car project was announced in October of last year in an agreement between the airline, the Mayor’s office and Transport for London (TfL).
 
The main construction of the Emirates Air Line, led by Mace, has involved more than 1,500 people on sites both sides of the river, helping to deliver the newest addition to the capital’s transport network. Mace Macro will employ more than 50 people to operate the scheme.
 
Emirates operates eight daily flights to London and also serves Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow.
 
BDST: 1604 HRS, JUNE 30, 2012
Edited by: Abul Kalam Azad, Newsroom Editor