Emirates launches first daily Dubai-Helsinki service

International

The new year-round route gives Finland its only direct connection to the UAE and opens new one-stop links to Asia, Africa, the Indian Ocean and Australasia

Emirates has launched daily flights between Dubai and Helsinki, marking the airline’s first service to Finland. The new route is the only year-round direct air connection between Finland and the United Arab Emirates and adds Helsinki to Emirates’ global network through its Dubai hub.

The route is operated with an Airbus A350 offering 298 seats across Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy. The inaugural flight demonstrated the connecting potential of the new service, carrying passengers to Helsinki from more than 20 cities in the Emirates network, including Mumbai, Taipei, Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney.

Flight EK167 leaves Dubai at 08:15 and arrives in Helsinki at 14:30. The return service EK168 departs the Finnish capital at 16:20 and reaches Dubai at 00:20 the following day. The schedule has been designed to provide onward connections particularly to East and Southeast Asia, West Asia, the Indian Ocean, Africa, the Middle East and Australasia.

New connections through Dubai

For Finland, the service significantly expands access to destinations beyond Dubai. Emirates’ network allows passengers from Helsinki to connect through a single hub to numerous markets in Asia and Africa as well as Australia and Indian Ocean leisure destinations.

“Helsinki is an exciting addition to our global network, connecting Finland with Dubai and our extensive network beyond, year-round,” said Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates.

Finavia also sees the route as an important addition to Finland’s international connectivity. The airport operator expects the daily service to strengthen links not only with the Middle East but also with Asia, Africa and Australia.

The connection works in both directions. Helsinki becomes more accessible to travellers from Emirates’ long-haul markets, while Finland’s wider tourism offering can be combined with the new direct service. Emirates Holidays is already offering packages covering Helsinki and Lapland, including Rovaniemi.

The new Helsinki route also extends the deployment of Emirates’ A350 fleet in Europe. With three cabin classes and daily year-round operation, the airline is positioning the service for both leisure and business traffic while using Dubai to connect Finland with a considerably wider range of long-haul destinations.