The airline Etihad Airways has operated the first flight from Abu Dhabi to Tashkent and introduced daily direct flights.
The Airbus A320 landed in Tashkent at 01:35. According to aviation tradition, the aircraft was greeted with a water parade. The ceremony took place at the airport with the participation of representatives from Etihad Airways, Uzbekistan Airports, and the UAE embassy in Uzbekistan.
Flights on the new route will operate daily using Airbus A320 aircraft. According to Etihad's official schedule, flight EY830 departs from Abu Dhabi at 21:10 and arrives in Tashkent the next day at 01:35. The return flight departs from Tashkent at 03:50 and reaches Abu Dhabi at 06:35.
Furthermore, there is a code-sharing agreement between Etihad Airways and Uzbekistan Airways. Thanks to this, Etihad passengers can travel on routes from Tashkent to Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Nukus, Termiz, Fergana, Namangan, and Andijan with one ticket.
Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and its main hub is Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
Uzbekistan Airways, in collaboration with Etihad Airways, is expanding air connectivity between Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Starting from August 9, 2026, the airline will operate direct flights on the route Abu Dhabi – Tashkent – Abu Dhabi.
According to information from Uzbekistan Airways, this new service will allow passengers to gain additional travel opportunities within the UAE using a single ticket thanks to the partnership with Etihad Airways.
Members of the UzAirPlus loyalty program will be able to accumulate bonus points when flying on the new Tashkent – Abu Dhabi route.
The airline noted that the opening of this new destination aims to increase tourism potential and strengthen air links between Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.
The launch of the Etihad Rail passenger service on June 30, 2026, marked a new era in the UAE's transport system, significantly changing the daily lives of local residents.
The initial route connects Mohammed Bin Zayed Station in Abu Dhabi with Al Hilal Station in Fujairah. This journey takes only one hour and forty-five minutes, reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h.
For Amna, a geosciences student at the University of Sharjah, the opportunity to intern at International Resources Holding (IRH) in Abu Dhabi was a big dream. This chance to gain practical experience in exploration and production perfectly matched her needs for starting a career. However, this dream was accompanied by the problem of a six-hour round trip from her home in Dibba Al Fujairah.
Amna shared that she was very happy about this opportunity because it provided practical experience in her field of specialization, but she was also worried about the distance of the training location from her home in Dibba Al Fujairah. Weekly trips represented a serious burden not only for her but also for her father, who had to drive her there and back every weekend.
A solution appeared just a week after starting the internship with the launch of the Etihad Rail passenger service. Amna noted that it felt like an answer to a prayer she had hoped for. The journey became easier and more comfortable, and the long road stopped being a fear-inducing obstacle.
Amna's story is not unique. Alia, who works in Abu Dhabi and travels weekly to her family in Fujairah, knows well the toll that long car journeys used to take on her weekends. She said that the weekly trip consumed a significant part of her weekends. Now, she sometimes uses the early morning Etihad Rail train on Monday and goes directly to work.
What used to be hours of driving fatigue has turned into productive and relaxing travel time. Alia explained that instead of grueling long-distance driving, she now spends two hours in comfort, enjoying the ride, and arrives at her family's home energized for the rest of the day. This saves time, effort, and the difficulties of the road, including traffic jams and everything else.
For both women, this service means more than just improved transport; it is the return of time, energy, and quality of life. Alia also expressed gratitude to the country for striving to make things easier for its citizens and for its wise leadership.
For passengers like Amna and Alia, this service is not just a faster way to travel, but a profound change in work-life balance and accessibility. Amna stated that she now uses Etihad Rail weekly for trips between Dibba Al Fujairah and Abu Dhabi, and it has become part of her routine. In addition to saving time and effort, it has provided her with comfort and safety, making her practical training experience easier and more pleasant.
The passenger trains are designed to carry up to 400 passengers and offer a modern travel experience, including guaranteed seating, free Wi-Fi, charging ports at every seat, and dedicated luggage storage. The service proved to be affordable and very popular among residents, offering starting fares from 55 dirhams for Comfort Class and 120 dirhams for Premium Class.
By significantly reducing travel time between emirates—from three hours one way to 105 minutes by train—Etihad Rail effectively shrinks the commuting zone. This allows residents to live in quieter and more affordable areas, such as Fujairah, while still working in major economic centers like Abu Dhabi. The early morning service on Mondays, which Alia now uses, clearly demonstrates how seamlessly the train has integrated into the rhythm of working life across the UAE.
Amna concluded that sometimes the simplest solutions completely change our day. For her, Etihad Rail was not just a means of transport, but a bridge connecting her to an important opportunity in her academic and professional path.
As Etihad Rail continues to gradually expand its network, including Dubai and Al Dhaid in September 2026, followed by Al Dafra in December and Sharjah in March 2027, more and more UAE residents will undoubtedly share this experience.
