Etihad Airways and Etihad Rail signed a memorandum of understanding to develop integrated air and rail journeys across the UAE, the airline said on September 15.
The agreement lands two weeks before the national railway’s formal passenger launch on September 30, when services expand from the introductory Abu Dhabi to Fujairah route to take in Dubai and Al Dhaid. Linking the network to Zayed International Airport would give Abu Dhabi a rail feed for arriving passengers, a connection the emirate has lacked as it competes with Dubai for stopover and multi-destination traffic.
The two will study a dedicated shuttle service between the airport and the Mohammed Bin Zayed City passenger station, the starting point of the passenger network, alongside integrated air and rail booking and station-based passenger services.
“Etihad Airways plays a unique role in bringing millions of visitors to Abu Dhabi each year,” said Arik De, chief revenue and commercial officer at Etihad Airways, adding that the partnership would explore linking air travel with destinations across the country.
Azza AlSuwaidi, chief operating officer of Etihad Rail, said the agreement marked a further step towards integration between rail and aviation, and that the railway had been strengthening its role in connecting cities since passenger services began earlier this year.
Passenger operations opened on June 30 on the Abu Dhabi to Fujairah route, covered in one hour and 45 minutes. The 900 km network will link 11 cities and regions across all seven emirates when complete, with Al Dhafra stations due to open on December 30 and Sharjah’s University City station on March 30, 2027. The fleet of 13 trains runs at up to 200 km/h, carrying up to 400 passengers each, with the Abu Dhabi to Dubai journey timed at 57 minutes.
The memorandum was signed at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, which runs to September 17.