Taking London's transport system to new heights... and operating it
Our facilities management arm runs the entire operations of the cable car on behalf of Transport for London. Mace constructed what is the UK's first urban cable car transportation system in time for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and has provided front of house services, security and maintenance since day one.
Emirates Air Line Project summary
Client
Transport for London
Project value
£48.3m
Key partners
Aedas, Buro Happold Ltd, URS Corporation Group Ltd, Doppelmayr Cable Car
Services provided
Operations, Facilities management consultancy, Construction
Sectors
Locations
UK and Europe, UK - London and south-east England
Project timeline
- Start date
- 15 April 2011
- Status
- Ongoing
Project story
This is unprecedented for us, and for the industry. With no systems or procedures in place, Mace's appointment included defining the client’s vision to create a fully managed and reliable service. We navigated the client’s assurance approval process and ensured we gained acceptance of all operating procedures. The result is a breathtaking ride on one of London skyline's most unique features.
The construction itself was a complex project in five separate site locations on either side of the River Thames. The two 90 metre, 570 tonne main towers needed to be absolutely stable for the service to operate safely, and with minimal movement during high winds. Each tower was designed as a complex helix structure using 3D modelling. We brought it to life in just 12 months with clear leadership, creative thinking and a commitment to getting it right first time. This ethos continues to run in the operation of the Emirates Air Line.
Maintaining the spirit of innovation and excellence that drove the construction project, Mace focuses on delivering a world class customer service experience alongside driving revenue and commercial performance to the Emirates Air Line. The Mace team has received the highest customer satisfaction results across the entire TFL network every year since opening and has driven the launch of innovative new products and events such as Champagne flights and fine dining events. This has been underpinned by Mace’s commitment to safety & asset management, becoming accredited to the ISO55001 standard in 2019.

Project stats
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“The Emirates Air Line is a fantastic addition to the city's skyline.”
“The Air Line has done so much to help to communities in this area.”