The mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has revealed that global airline Emirates will sponsor London’s new cable car river crossing, to be known as the Emirates Air Line, in a ten-year deal worth £36m.

The Emirates Air Line will connect north and south London, travelling between two new stations set to be named Emirates Greenwich Peninsula and Emirates Royal Docks.

Scheduled for completion in summer 2012 the Emirates Air Line will offer commuters and visitors majestic aerial views as they travel across the Thames and provide a much needed additional river crossing.

With capacity to carry up to 2,500 people per hour in each direction in the peak, equivalent to 30 buses per hour, the Emirates Air Line will be the first of a package of measures to improve river crossings in east London.

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

Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, said: “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.”

The mayor was joined by Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airline, and Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground and Rail, to announce the sponsorship deal.

Clark added: “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.”

The Emirates Air Line will feature on the iconic Tube map and be included in Transport for London’s (TfL’s) travel information.

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