Etihad Rail recently announced that its high-speed passenger train service is set to launch in 2026. The company made the announcement in a social media post, noting that “the project stands as one of the country’s largest strategic transportation projects.”
Etihad Rail’s announcement came during a recent meeting with H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region. Sheikh Hamdan received a delegation from Etihad Rail at Al Dhanna Palace, led by H.E. Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail. During the meeting, he was briefed on the latest developments of the UAE National Railway Network and the passenger train service.
Project to contribute AED145 billion to the UAE’s GDP
The company’s high-speed passenger train service linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai was first announced in January 2025. Etihad Rail is overseeing the development and operation of the project, building on its achievements in developing the national railway sector and operating the national rail network with the highest standards of efficiency, quality and reliability.
The high-speed train will allow individuals to travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes, reaching speeds of up to 350 km/h. The route will pass through key strategic destinations and tourist attractions, which ensures seamless travel for passengers and visitors.
Etihad Rail’s project will significantly contribute to the UAE’s socioeconomic and tourism development, strengthening its position among advanced nations through fast, efficient and sustainable rail transport. It will also boost tourism and raise economic growth. The high-speed train is expected to contribute AED145 billion to the UAE’s GDP over the next five decades.
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UAE-Oman railway
Etihad Rail is also building a 303-kilometer railway linking Oman to the UAE National Rail Network. The UAE and Oman will invest $3 billion to build this project.
The UAE-Oman railway will allow passenger trains to travel at 200km/h, while goods trains will travel at 120km/h. This connection will begin in Sohar, the northern port, and will reduce travel time from Abu Dhabi to Sohar, north of Muscat, to 100 minutes, and travel time from Sohar to Al Ain to 47 minutes. Passengers from Abu Dhabi will be able to connect to Etihad’s rail network to reach Dubai in the meantime.
In 2023, Etihad Rail also opened the UAE’s freight train network. The freight trains have a capacity of 60 million tons of goods per year and can travel at speeds of up to 120kph. The network also includes 593 bridges and crossings as well as nine tunnels. The project, one of the region’s largest infrastructure programs, aims to connect all seven emirates via a main rail network.
