His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh opened British Airways i360, the world’s first vertical cable car, in Brighton on 28th October 2016.
His Royal Highness took a flight on the observation pod before unveiling a plaque and signing the Visitors’ Book at the seaside attraction, which was conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, creators of the London Eye.
With an overall height of 162m and an observation pod that rises from ground level to 138m above Brighton beach, British Airways i360 is a feat of engineering, which already holds the Guinness World Record for the World’s Most Slender Tower, with a diameter of just 3.9 meters at its widest point.
David Marks, Chairman of British Airways i360, said: “Everyone who has been involved in the project is deeply honoured that His Royal Highness formally opened British Airways i360. We are very proud of the design and engineering that have been achieved at British Airways i360.”
He continued: “Built at the landward end of Brighton’s historic West Pier, British Airways i360 is a modern day ‘vertical pier’ that gives a new perspective on the city. Its purpose is simply to delight, entertain and inspire. Its design, engineering and method of construction are innovative, just as the West Pier was in its time. And just as the original pier invited Victorian society to ‘walk on water’, so British Airways i360 invites visitors to ‘walk on air’”.
Cllr Warren Morgan, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “British Airways i360 is proving to be a popular attraction for visitors to Brighton & Hove and is a great addition to our seafront. We look forward to welcoming HRH The Duke of Edinburgh as he sees the city from the new and impressive viewpoint at the top of the tallest structure in Sussex.”
