Etihad Rail hosts Emirati falconers for trial journey ahead of Liwa Station launch

Etihad Rail hosted a group of Emirati falconers accompanied by their falcons onboard a dedicated passenger train for a special trial journey from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah as part of its operational preparations ahead of the launch of services to and from Liwa Station on 30 November 2026.

The trial was designed to assess the procedures and requirements associated with travelling with falcons on passenger services, including their presence within stations and onboard the train, as well as the related safety and security considerations.

Adhraa Almansoori, Executive Director of Commercial at Etihad Rail Mobility, said: “In line with the UAE leadership’s commitment to preserving the rich national heritage and strengthening its presence across generations, we wanted this experience to reflect the unique cultural identity of the region.

We see this initiative as an opportunity to connect the continued development of the UAE’s national mobility ecosystem with our cultural heritage, in a way that celebrates the UAE’s identity while keeping this living legacy as the nation continues to progress.” The journey took place in a controlled operational environment under special conditions and was supervised by Etihad Rail’s operations, safety, and security teams.

Participating falconers provided the specialist equipment and arrangements required for the care and handling of the falcons throughout the trial. Jassim AlHammadi, one of the participating falconers, said: “Falconry is a heritage we learned from our fathers and grandfathers and one that we are committed to passing on to future generations.

This experience gave us the opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise in handling falcons with Etihad Rail’s teams. ”

The trial forms part of ongoing preparations for the opening of Liwa Station on 30 November 2026. The Liwa region shares a deep-rooted connection with falconry and other traditional practices that have been preserved and handed down through generations.

With the arrival of passenger rail services to Liwa, the region will be more closely connected to cities and destinations across the UAE through the national railway network, enhancing access to its cultural landmarks, heritage attractions, and community events.

Falconry holds a prominent place in Emirati heritage and is deeply connected to the history of the UAE, its desert environment, and values of patience, skill and a deep connection to nature. It received significant support from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, who was committed to preserving and passing this heritage to future generations.

Falconry is also inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A number of young participants joined the journey alongside the falconers, supporting the preservation of falconry knowledge and skills across generations and its enduring presence within Emirati society.

While passengers are currently required to comply with the provisions of the Passenger Charter governing the transportation of pets onboard passenger services, Etihad Rail continues to draw valuable insights from similar initiatives to support the development of its services and operational policies.

In the future, these learnings may help inform the exploration of more suitable and sustainable solutions for travelling with animals, including falcons, while maintaining the highest standards of safety, security, and passenger comfort.