Boris Johnson’s cable car scheme connecting Greenwich and the Royal Victoria Dock across the Thames will be called the Emirates Air Line.

The London Mayor has just revealed the official name of the crossing, giving Londoners a sneak preview of one of the branded gondolas which will transport passengers across the river.

Dubai-based company Emirates has signed a 10-year sponsorship deal worth �36 million.

The company already sponsors Arsenal football club, whose stadium is named the Emirates Stadium.

Flanked by two air hostesses at the ExCeL marina, Mr Johnson said: “This multi-million pound deal is tremendous news for London, helping us to deliver a new addition to the city’s skyline.

“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 �60m cable car scheme will transport passengers in five minutes from North Greenwich to the Royal Victoria Dock.

The two stations will be known as Emirates Royal Docks and Emirates Greenwich Peninsula.

Each gondola will be able to carry up to 10 people.

The cable car will have capacity to carry up to 2,500 people per hour in each direction, equivalent to 30 buses.

It is anticipated the Emirates Air Line will carry two million passengers per year.

Mr Johnson was joined by Tim Clark, president of Emirates, and Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground and Rail, at the announcement.

Mr Clark said: “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. We are always looking for new ways to support the communities we serve and what better way than to bring this ground-breaking transport scheme to residents and visitors alike.”

Contractor Mace has already started working on the flagship river crossing.

The company has previously worked on the London Eye and the Shard tower at London Bridge.

There are 135 people working on the construction which is set to be finished by next summer.

The cable car link will span 420 metres of the river - the equivalent of the height of the new 80-storey Dynamic Tower in Dubai.

Passengers will be ferried across the river in a fleet of 34 gondolas and 25 people will be employed to run the cable car.

It will be part of the Oyster ticketing network, but fares have yet to be set.

Transport for London stumped up the cash for the project up front to speed up the work while it hunted for a commercial partner.

It says the sponsorship deal pays for 80 per cent of the construction costs.

More money is being sought, and application has been made to the European Regional Development Fund.