In good news for passengers, Etihad Rail has announced that it could have a stop at Dubai’s new Al Maktoum International Airport. Etihad Rail is expected to become operational for passenger services in 2026.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said in an interview with Flight Global that the planned Etihad Rail network for the UAE is expected to include a stop at Al Maktoum International Airport, also called the DWC (Dubai World Central). He also announced that there could be “an eventual integrated system where passengers en route to the airport will be able to check their bags in at train stations.”
In April 2024, the Dubai government announced that its main aviation hub will be Al Maktoum International Airport. The new AED 128 bn terminal at DWC will accommodate up to 260 million passengers.
The Etihad Rail is expected to service 36.5 million passengers annually by 2030, connecting key cities across the UAE — including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Al Ain — and extend to Saudi Arabia via Ghuweifat and Oman through the Hafeet Rail project.
Also read: Etihad Rail: Indian expats face eviction as Abu Dhabi landlords hike rents up to 25%
The highlight of the Etihad Rail will be that it will be separate from the road network, which will help eliminate collision risk and enhance safety. It will also be a high-speed rail, which will take just 57 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, 1 hour 45 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, and 70 minutes to Ruwais. A separate high-speed line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is also in the works, reaching 350km/h and cutting the trip to just 30 minutes, according to reports.
Earlier, there were reports that the rail was causing an increase in property values, atleast by 30 per cent along its route. Indian expatriates complain that the rent has been hiked from five to 25 per cent.