Emirates Airline signs £36m sponsorship deal for London's cable car

Emirates Airline has signed a £36m deal to sponsor London’s new cable car, the mayor announced today. To be called Emirates Air Line, the cable car will connect north and south London through two new stations set to be named Emirates Greenwich Peninsula and Emirates Royal Docks.

Scheduled for completion in summer 2012, the cable car will have a capacity to carry up to 2,500 people per hour in each direction in the peak, equivalent to 30 buses per hour.

It is anticipated it will carry two million passengers per year.

Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, said: “This multi-million pound deal is tremendous news for London, helping us to deliver a new addition to the city’s skyline. The Emirates Air Line will be an exciting and innovative mode of transport easing travel for thousands and offering spectacular bird’s eye vistas of our majestic Thames.

“The UK’s first urban cable car will also act as a vibrant catalyst for the further regeneration of east London helping to attract jobs and investment for the benefit of Londoners,” he added.

As title sponsor, Emirates will receive a range of naming and branding rights, including the right to name the scheme, its stations and the creation of a joint logo.  

Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airline, said: “As one of the world’s most innovative airlines, the link with this new form of air travel in London is a perfect fit for us.The Emirates Air Line will take off as an iconic landmark for London. We are always looking for new ways to support the communities we serve and what better way than to bring this ground-breaking transport scheme to residents and visitors alike.”

The Emirates Air Line is also expected to create jobs to boost the British manufacturing and construction industry.

Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground and London Rail, said: “This marks the start of an exciting new partnership. It’s great that Emirates shares the Mayor and TfL’s vision to create this innovative transport link across the Thames and boost regeneration in the area, the first urban cable car in the UK.

“Much of the manufacture, including the steel towers, is being built in the UK, boosting companies across the country,” he added.

Creating a direct link between the O2 and ExCeL, the Emirates Air Line will also provide an additional interchange between the Docklands Light Railway and Jubilee line.