Etihad Rail, in coordination with and under the supervision of the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre — Abu Dhabi (ADCMC), operated exceptional passenger services that transported more than 350 people from the Saudi border to Abu Dhabi after the temporary suspension of certain flights.
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Operation details
The services ran as an exceptional, non-regular operation before the official launch of the national passenger rail service. The movement was carried out through a structured mechanism with the immediate activation of approved safety protocols and emergency plans. Technical teams and human resources were deployed to support the operation while freight services on the national railway network continued as scheduled.
Route and trips
The trains operated between Al Ghuwaifat Station (on the Saudi border) and Al Faya Station in Abu Dhabi. Three passenger train trips facilitated the return of UAE citizens and residents who had been stranded in Saudi Arabia. The services aimed to expedite implementation while maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational discipline.
Coordination and approvals
The operation was implemented by Etihad Rail in close coordination with the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre — Abu Dhabi, and in cooperation with competent authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Officials described the initiative as part of a structured national response to evolving regional developments, emphasising procedural integration to expedite passenger movement.
Official statements
Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre — Abu Dhabi, said the operation “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.”
Eng. Mohammed Al Shehhi, Chief Projects Officer at Etihad Rail, said: “We are proud to operate these passenger services as an exceptional response to the current regional situation and in line with the directives of our leadership to strengthen national efforts aimed at ensuring the stability of nationals and residents in the UAE. This step reflects the technical and operational readiness of the national railway network, the flexibility of its operating systems, and the competence of the national workforce, which delivered the services with a high degree of efficiency and adaptability, without affecting other logistical operations across the network.” He added that “a number of additional services” have been scheduled and that operations will continue as required until air traffic resumes and flights return to regular schedules.
Passenger accounts and visuals
Footage published by the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office showed arriving passengers being greeted on arrival; in the clips, a passenger thanks staff for enabling their return from Jeddah “safely and easily,” and family members said authorities had maintained contact and support since the disruption began.
Announcements
Etihad Rail confirmed additional exceptional services have been scheduled and that operations would continue in close coordination with relevant authorities until normal air services resume. Authorities reiterated that the exceptional passenger runs did not interrupt scheduled freight operations on the national rail network.
