Emirates to launch daily Dubai to Helsinki flights from October 2026 with A350 aircraft

Emirates will launch a daily flight between Helsinki and Dubai from October 1, 2026, strengthening its presence in the Nordic region and introducing the only year-round, direct air link between Finland and the UAE.

The new service will operate using Emirates’ newest aircraft type, the A350, bringing the airline’s latest onboard products and its Premium Economy cabin to Finland from the inaugural flight.

The route is designed to unlock expanded opportunities for both leisure and corporate travellers.

Emirates flight EK167 will depart Dubai at 8.45ams, arriving in Helsinki at 2.55pm. The return service, EK168, will depart Helsinki at 4.45pms, landing in Dubai at 12.20am the following day.

The schedule has been optimised to support smooth onward connections, offering access to destinations across East and Southeast Asia including Bangkok, Phuket, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei.

The route also provides connectivity across West Asia, popular Indian Ocean destinations, African cities such as Cairo, Cape Town and Johannesburg, major Middle East and GCC hubs including Dammam, Riyadh, Muscat and Kuwait City, all five Australian cities on Emirates’ network, and onward connections from Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand.

Emirates to launch Dubai to Helsinki flights

Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates, said: “The Dubai-Helsinki route is an exciting expansion on our global network. There is already strong demand between Helsinki and Dubai, with travellers connecting through our other Nordic gateways, so introducing direct, year-round connectivity is a natural next step, making the flight seamless and non-stop, while introducing more premium travel options to market.

“In addition to better serving current demand, we see potential to attract travellers who may have previously opted for alternative connections, growing the overall market and creating opportunities for more people to discover the destinations have to offer.”

Tourism remains a key pillar of Finland’s economy, with Visit Finland reporting 5m international tourists in recent years.

Beyond tourism, the UAE and Finland maintain strong bilateral ties spanning renewable energy, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, advanced technology, education, space and sustainable development.

Emirates expects the new service to further support trade growth, offering Finnish businesses enhanced access to global markets through Emirates SkyCargo.

Each flight will provide 16 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity, supporting the transport of pharmaceuticals, electronics, machinery, perishables and other high-value goods from one of Europe’s advanced technology manufacturing and timber hubs.