Emirates Airline to open the world's first public commercial flight simulators

New 'aviation-themed' attraction in London operated by Emirates Airline will let the public fly Airbus 380s and Boeing 777s.

LONDON. 15/5/12. Cabins being tested on the new Emirates Air Line, a cable car across the river Thames in London. The cable car will run from the 02 Arena on the south side of the river to the Excel centre ( owned by ADNEC) on the north side. Stephen Lock for The National  FOR BUSINESS
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Emirates Airline is to open an aviation-themed attraction in London featuring the world's first public commercial flight simulators.

The Emirates Aviation Experience, which opens next month, is located on the south side of Emirates Air Line, a cable car link across the Thames in London.

The new attraction is the first of its kind globally. "This high-tech facility will bring to London a one-of-a-kind insight into the dynamic world of aviation," said Tim Clark, the president of Emirates.

"The purpose of this centre is to provide a fun, yet educational overview of just what it takes to successfully get a 560-tonne aircraft off the ground and 40,000 feet into the sky. Our aim is to explain the intricate science of modern aviation, in a hands-on, entertaining and instructive environment."

Featuring interactive displays and life-size aircraft models, the almost 300-square-metre attraction aims to take visitors on an "interactive aviation journey". It will be suitable for all ages, and include several flight simulators, including two Airbus 380s and two Boeing 777s, allowing people to test their take-off and landing skills.

The Emirates Air Line, which is estimated to have cost about £60 million (Dh345.1m), opened last June.

The route, a one kilometre gondola line that links Greenwich Peninsula with the Royal Docks, has been added to the London Tube map, making Emirates the first company with a logo on the map.

It can carry about 2,500 people per hour and features 36 gondolas, although only 34 of them are in use at any one time. Each gondola can carry a maximum of 10 passengers.

According to Transport for London, there have been more than 2.3 million journeys on the link since its launch. On the week ending June 8, the service carried 34,960 passengers. "London is one of the greatest cities in the world, with one of the world's busiest international airports, making it the perfect setting for this interactive experience," said Mr Clark.

"We have successfully operated services to the UK since 1987 and, when opened, the Emirates Aviation Experience will further broaden our already robust UK presence," he added.