Etihad Airways, Etihad Rail collaborate to enhance UAE air-rail transport integration
Etihad Airways and Etihad Rail have signed an MoU to explore integrated air-rail services linking Zayed International Airport with the national rail network, boosting Abu Dhabi’s role as a gateway across the UAE.
Air-rail tie-up to smooth national travel
Etihad Airways and Etihad Rail have agreed to investigate a series of measures intended to create a more seamless travel experience across the United Arab Emirates. The memorandum of understanding was signed during Arabian Travel Market on 15 September 2026 and brings together Abu Dhabi’s principal airline and the developer and operator of the UAE’s National Rail Network.
Both organisations said the co-operation aims to support tourism growth, economic diversification and more sustainable mobility by improving links between air and rail. Central to the discussions will be options to improve connectivity between Zayed International Airport and the Mohammed Bin Zayed City Passenger Station, including dedicated shuttle services to facilitate smoother transfers between arriving aircraft and the national railway.
The MoU also sets out to study integrated booking and passenger-service solutions that could allow travellers to plan and purchase end-to-end journeys combining flights and train travel. Station-based services and other measures to enhance multimodal integration are among the areas the partners will examine to deliver a more convenient door-to-door experience for residents and visitors.
Etihad Airways’ Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Arik De, said the carrier plays a unique role in bringing large numbers of visitors to Abu Dhabi and that the initiative reflects a common ambition to strengthen the emirate’s position as a global destination. He described the partnership with Etihad Rail as an opportunity to open up easier connections between air travel and destinations across the UAE, supporting tourism and long-term economic development.
Azza AlSuwaidi, Chief Operating Officer of Etihad Rail, emphasised that the UAE is developing an integrated national transport system to match its wider development plans. She noted that since the launch of passenger rail services earlier in 2026, Etihad Rail has been enhancing connections between cities and regions, and that closer collaboration with Etihad Airways represents a logical next step in improving multimodal mobility while contributing to sustainable development.
The MoU does not yet set definite timelines or commercial terms; it establishes a framework for further study and collaboration as both organisations assess practical steps for implementation.
Source: WAM