The Mayor of London will fulfill his pledge to build the UK’s first urban cable car when the Emirates Air Line opens to the public from midday on Thursday 28 June 2012, providing a new river crossing for east London. The 1.1km long river crossing, between Greenwich and the Royal Docks, will have the capacity to carry up to 2,500 people per hour in each direction, the equivalent of 30 buses.

Initially it will operate seven days a week, from 7am to 9pm Mondays to Fridays, 8am to 9pm on Saturdays and 9am to 9pm on Sundays. There will be extended opening hours when there are events at the local venues, including Olympic events. Details of the extended hours will be announced nearer the time.

It will be possible to 'touch in' using Oyster pay as you go cards to take a flight on the Emirates Air Line and a frequent flyer 'boarding pass' will cost £16 for ten journeys. A single fare boarding pass using Oyster pay as you go will cost £3.20 (child fare £1.60). The Emirates Air Line will operate both as a convenient mode of transport and a tourist attraction - for those who want to have an extended journey and enjoy the fantastic views of the City, which include Canary Wharf, the Thames Barrier and the Olympic Park, there will be the option to take a non-stop return journey. This ‘360 degree tour’ will cost £6.40 with Oyster.

The innovative Emirates Air Line is a key part of London Mayor Boris Johnson’s plans to revitalise east London and create jobs for Londoners and attract investment into the capital. Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, helped to make this new transport scheme a reality by investing £36 million in a ten year sponsorship deal.

Source: Visit Britain