Emirates has announced the launch of a new daily, year-round direct flight between Dubai and Helsinki, starting on 1 October 2026. The new service will be the only nonstop connection operating throughout the year between Finland and the United Arab Emirates, marking a significant expansion of Emirates’ presence in the Nordic region.
The route will be operated with the Airbus A350, configured to carry 298 passengers across three cabin classes: Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. With this launch, Finland becomes the third Nordic country to welcome Emirates’ A350 and Premium Economy product, following Oslo—where the aircraft was introduced on the daily Dubai route last autumn—and Copenhagen, which will see a daily A350 service from 1 June 2026.
Finland in the Tourism Spotlight for 2026
Tourism remains a key pillar of Finland’s economy. According to Visit Finland, the country has welcomed more than five million international visitors in recent years. Emirates’ new service will connect Helsinki to over 150 destinations across the airline’s global network, including major markets in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and North and South America, where interest in travel to Finland continues to grow.
Further boosting its appeal, Finland has been named by Lonely Planet as one of the must-visit destinations for 2026. From the Northern Lights in winter to the midnight sun in summer, the country’s natural attractions play a central role in tourism, supported by 41 national parks and protected nature reserves.
“Finland is one of the world’s most sought-after destinations, offering a unique combination of innovation, nature, and culture. This route opens up new opportunities for tourism, trade, and business between the UAE, Finland, and the rest of the world,” added Kazim.
Flight schedule
Emirates flight EK167 will depart Dubai at 08:45 and arrive in Helsinki at 14:55 local time. The return flight, EK168, will depart Helsinki at 16:45 and arrive in Dubai at 00:20 the following day. All times are local.
The schedule is designed to provide smooth onward connections via Dubai to destinations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as Australia and New Zealand. Key connections include cities such as Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and onward flights to Auckland and Christchurch.
Beyond passenger travel, the new route is set to strengthen bilateral trade relations between Finland and the UAE. The two countries share growing cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, advanced technology, education, space, and sustainable development.
The Helsinki–Dubai service will also support Finnish exporters through Emirates SkyCargo. As a key European hub for advanced technology manufacturing and timber, Finland is expected to export commodities including pharmaceuticals, electronics, machinery, fresh produce, and other high-value goods. Each flight will offer up to 10 tonnes of cargo capacity in both directions.
The Airbus A350 underlines Emirates’ focus on sustainability and efficiency, being the most fuel-efficient large wide-body passenger aircraft currently in commercial service, while also featuring the quietest twin-aisle cabin available today.
