Etihad Rail has transported more than 350 passengers between Al Ghuwaifat Station in the Al Dhafra region and Al Faya Station in Abu Dhabi ahead of its official launch in response to the disruption of travel and the temporary suspension of certain flight services.
The operation was held under the direct supervision of the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre Abu Dhabi (ADCMC).
It was carried out in cooperation with the competent authorities in Saudi Arabia, enhancing procedural integration and expediting implementation in line with the highest standards of safety and operational discipline.
The service was delivered through a structured and carefully managed mechanism, with the immediate activation of approved safety protocols and emergency plans to ensure smooth and secure operations.
Speaking on The Agenda on Dubai 103.3, Director of Public Policy and Sustainability at Etihad Rail Adhraa Al Mansoori admitted it was a "massive" and "complex" operation:
Freight operations continued as scheduled and in line with the relevant official directives, with the necessary technical and human resources allocated accordingly.
Al Mansoori labelled it a "remarkable moment" for Etihad Rail:
“The operation of the passenger service prior to its official launch demonstrates a high degree of institutional flexibility, based on the effective redeployment of available capabilities to address societal priorities, without compromising long-term operational plans or the UAE’s logistical security," said Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre Abu Dhabi (ADCMC).
"It reflects the strategic importance of the UAE’s national railway network and its high levels of efficiency, reliability and operational readiness under varying conditions," he added.
"In our commitment to facilitating the movement of individuals, we have scheduled a number of additional services. Operations will continue as required, in close coordination with the competent authorities, until air traffic resumes and flights return to their regular schedules,” noted Eng. Mohammed Al Shehhi, Chief Projects Officer at Etihad Rail.
Despite the success, Al Mansoori says there is still a lot to learn for future operations:
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