Emirates launches Helsinki-Dubai flights in 2026, creating Finland’s only year-round UAE link
New route supports tourism, trade and cargo flows between the two markets
DUBAI – Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, will introduce a daily service between Dubai and Helsinki from 1 October 2026, extending its growing Nordic footprint and opening Finland’s only year-round, direct air link with the UAE.
The new route is designed to meet rising leisure and corporate demand while offering smoother connections to key global markets through Dubai. From the inaugural flight, passengers will also experience Emirates’ newest aircraft type, the A350, including its latest onboard products and the highly acclaimed Premium Economy cabin.
The new service will be operated as flight EK167, departing Dubai at 08:45hrs and arriving in Helsinki at 14:55hrs. The return flight, EK168, will depart Helsinki at 16:45hrs and land in Dubai at 00:20hrs the following day. Timings have been optimised to deliver efficient onward connections across Emirates’ global network, linking Finland with major cities in East and Southeast Asia such as Bangkok, Phuket, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei.
The schedule also connects Helsinki with West Asia and popular Indian Ocean destinations, African cities including Cairo, Cape Town and Johannesburg, major hubs across the Middle East and GCC including Dammam, Riyadh, Muscat and Kuwait City, and all five Australian cities served by Emirates, along with connections from Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand.
Dubai-Helsinki route
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said the new Dubai–Helsinki route reflects strong underlying demand between the two cities, which is currently being met through the airline’s other Nordic gateways. He said introducing a direct, year-round service will make travel seamless and non-stop while bringing more premium travel options to the market. The airline also expects the new route to attract passengers who previously travelled via alternative connections, expanding the overall market and creating new opportunities to explore both destinations.
Finland’s tourism industry continues to be a key pillar of the country’s economy. Visit Finland reports that around 5 million international tourists have visited in recent years, underlining the growing global appeal of the Nordic nation. Emirates’ new route will give these travellers and new markets access to Helsinki from more than 150 points on the airline’s network across Australia, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, where demand for convenient, long-haul travel to Finland continues to rise.
Finland – the world’s happiest country
Finland has been named by Lonely Planet as one of its must-visit destinations for 2026, reflecting its mix of nature, culture and year-round experiences. Travellers are drawn to Arctic adventures beneath the Northern Lights, the Midnight Sun during summer, and a landscape shaped by green forests, Baltic islands, Arctic fells and thousands of blue lakes. The country is home to 41 national parks and nature reserves, and visitors can encounter rare wildlife including reindeer, wolves, bears, lynx and the Saimaa ringed seal, which is found only at Lake Saimaa.
For the eighth consecutive year, Finland has also been ranked as the happiest country in the world, a reputation that is reflected in the capital, Helsinki. The city blends urban living with easy access to nature and is known as the home of the sauna, offering a distinctive insight into Finnish culture and wellbeing. Its vibrant design scene, thriving culinary landscape and tranquil lakes and forests just minutes from the city centre make Helsinki an increasingly popular destination for both business and leisure travellers.
Trade links
Beyond tourism, the UAE and Finland share strong bilateral ties built around renewable energy, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, advanced technology, education, space and sustainable development. Trade between the two countries continues to grow, and Emirates’ new daily service is expected to further support commercial exchanges by improving access to the UAE and global markets.
Through Emirates SkyCargo, the Dubai–Helsinki service will provide up to 16 tonnes of bellyhold capacity on each flight. As one of Europe’s advanced-technology manufacturing and timber hubs, Finland exports a range of high-value and time-sensitive products, and the airline expects to uplift key commodities such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, machinery, perishables and other premium goods on the route. The added cargo capacity is set to strengthen supply chains between Northern Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
A350 experience
The route will be served by the Emirates A350, the latest aircraft type to join the airline’s all-widebody fleet. The A350 is the most fuel-efficient large widebody aircraft in commercial service and also features the quietest twin-aisle cabin of any aircraft. Configured to carry 298 passengers across three cabins, Business, Premium Economy and Economy, the aircraft brings Emirates’ newest product standards to Finland from day one.
Passengers can expect bright, airy cabins with the latest technology, regionally inspired multi-course menus created by a team of award-winning chefs, and a wide selection of premium beverages. The inflight experience is complemented by more than 6,500 channels of global entertainment in multiple languages on ice, Emirates’ award-winning entertainment system.
Tickets for the new Dubai-Helsinki service are now available through emirates.com and via travel agents, ahead of the route’s launch on 1 October 2026.