Photo: Spanish Aero Car Whirlpool Rapids Niagara River Ontario

People enjoy a spectacular view of the Whirlpool Rapids from above as they travel across the Niagara River in the Spanish Aero Car. This is located just downstream from the world famous Niagara Falls in Ontario and is an impressive sight.

The Spanish Aero Car has quite an extensive history. It was in 1913 that a group of Spanish businessmen thought about building a cable car across the Niagara River from one side to the other. They first had to deal with the Niagara Parks Commission, as well as the state of New York, and the US Government, but finally they got permission to build the passenger cable car.

It was built in Bilboa, Spain, and the design is based upon a cable car at Mount Uila in Spain. The car now travels 1,770 feet across the Whirlpool Rapids about 250 feet up. It can carry up to 40 passengers at a time.

The first passengers crossed the river in this way on August 8, 1916, and there has never been an accident or injury aboard the car. The Niagara Parks Commission bought the cable car in 1984 and now they operate and pay for it. It does cost ... continue below the picture...

... money to travel across the river in this way, and on average about 220,000 people pay for this thrill each year - it is a popular tourist attraction.

Since the 1999-2000 season the parks commission decided to operate the cable car year round as it has now been reinforced to run in extreme cold weather conditions.

The Spanish Aero Car passing above the Whirlpool Rapids of the Niagara River down stream from the famous Niagara Falls, Niagara River Parkway, Ontario, Canada.