Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi is gearing up for a transformative year in 2026, with a series of ambitious projects poised to reshape the emirate’s transport, infrastructure, and cultural landscape.
At the forefront is the launch of the Etihad Rail passenger network, a high-speed system designed to operate at up to 200 kmph and link 11 cities and regions across the UAE.
The journey between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is expected to take just 57 minutes, offering commuters and long-distance travellers a faster and more reliable alternative to road travel.
The network will feature multiple strategically located stations, integrating seamlessly with local public transport.
Meanwhile, a separate ultra-high-speed rail line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is under development, with trains capable of reaching 350 kmph.
Once operational, this line could cut travel time between the two emirates to around 30 minutes, and is expected to contribute Dh145 billion to the UAE’s GDP over the next 50 years.
Abu Dhabi is also set to debut one of the region’s first electric air taxi services.
Commercial operations are slated this year under a partnership between the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) and Archer Aviation using its Midnight aircraft — a piloted eVTOL capable of carrying four passengers.
Key partners, including Abu Dhabi Aviation, Etihad Aviation Training, and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, are supporting infrastructure, certification, and pilot training. Test flights have already been conducted, and regulatory frameworks are being finalised.
Beyond mobility, Abu Dhabi is driving major infrastructure and housing initiatives. The emirate plans to attract $54 billion in investments for infrastructure projects over the next five years, with ambitions to double that by 2040, according to the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC).
On the technology front, Abu Dhabi is advancing the Stargate UAE AI campus, a massive digital infrastructure project led by G42 in partnership with OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, and other global tech firms.
Spanning 19.2 sq.km, the campus will host a 1-gigawatt AI compute cluster, with the first 200 megawatts expected online by the third quarter of 2026. The facility is set to support advanced AI workloads in healthcare, energy, and finance, positioning the emirate as a regional hub for high-performance computing.
The cultural and leisure sectors are also receiving a boost.
The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, designed by architect Frank Gehry, is nearing completion on Saadiyat Island and is expected to open towards the end of 2026, although an exact date has yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, Yas Waterworld on Yas Island will open a major expansion on April 4, adding eight new slides and attractions. Highlights include Matamir’s Drop, billed as the UAE’s tallest waterslide at over 40 m, along with new racing slides, jump platforms and a family leisure pool.
