The British Airways London Eye, the world’s largest observation wheel, is to be launched in February with the first public rides and previews for invited guests, including the media.

Speculation that the public will not ride on the millennium wheel was quashed today by sponsors British Airways which confirmed the opening date of February 1.

Limited public rides and previews for groups will be available until early March when a gala opening event is planned and the attraction will be opened for full operations.

The announcement comes after replacement clutches were ordered for all 32 capsules following confirmation of a manufacturing fault in one of the capsules. Installation of the parts begins on Saturday and will be completed by next week.

David Hyde, Chairman of British Airways London Eye, said: “We are continuing to target February 1 for a ‘soft opening’ with full operation in March.

“We have resolved the clutch issue which was a simple matter of a manufacturing fault and replacements have been ordered with installation completed next week.

“The world’s biggest observation wheel is going to be a fantastic experience. There is no other wheel like it in the world and we will only open it for full operations to the public when every aspect of it is entirely reliable.”

——-