The UAE’s ambitious national railway project is on schedule, with Etihad Rail announcing that passenger services will launch in 2026, a milestone that will redefine connectivity across the country and the wider Gulf region.
The announcement came during the Global Rail 2025 exhibition and conference, which opened on Tuesday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) under the theme “Shaping the Future of Transport and Strengthening Global Connectivity.” The three-day event, running until October 2, is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and under the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail.
Abu Dhabi as a Global Hub
The exhibition underscores Abu Dhabi’s role as a global hub for sustainable transport innovation. With more than 24 ministers, 200+ exhibitors from 14 sectors, and 60 CEOs representing companies with a combined annual revenue exceeding USD 140 billion, Global Rail 2025 has quickly emerged as a key international platform. Over 20,000 visitors from 100 nationalities are expected to attend.
Conferences and Discussions
This year’s program features both strategic and technical conferences.
- The strategic conference will host 55+ panel discussions covering the future of high-speed rail, sustainable financing, AI, automation, and city planning.
- The technical conference will focus on engineering, railway equipment, digitalization, and asset management, with input from global experts and academics.
Passenger Services: Faster, Safer, Smarter
At the opening session, Azza Al Suwaidi, Deputy CEO of Etihad Rail Passenger Services, confirmed the project remains on track. She revealed:
- Travel times: 57 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, 70 minutes to Ruwais, and 105 minutes to Fujairah.
- Capacity: Each train will carry up to 400 passengers, with multiple trips daily.
- Experience: Digital-first ticketing, dedicated spaces for work and leisure, and stations designed for seamless connectivity across 11 cities and regions—from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east.
- Safety: The network will run on tracks fully separated from roadways, eliminating collision risks.
“Etihad Rail is building strategic partnerships to ensure first- and last-mile connectivity with local transport providers, municipalities, and technology platforms,” Al Suwaidi said, adding that passenger comfort, reliability, and affordability are the core priorities.
High-Speed Rail and GCC Integration
In a significant update, Al Suwaidi confirmed that the high-speed rail project will link Abu Dhabi and Dubai at speeds of up to 350 km/h, cutting the journey between the two cities to just 30 minutes. This initiative is expected to add around Dh145 billion to the UAE’s GDP over the next 50 years.
She also emphasized the UAE’s commitment to regional connectivity, pointing to projects like Hafeet Rail and the involvement of GCC ministerial delegations at Global Rail 2025.
Long-Term Vision
“Etihad Rail’s passenger network is a national project built for future generations,” Al Suwaidi said. “Our goal is to provide a safe, integrated, and sustainable railway that unites communities and drives regional integration.”
With the 2026 deadline in sight, the UAE is set to cement its position as a regional leader in next-generation rail transport, blending infrastructure development with sustainability and innovation.
