Emirates launched its first service to Helsinki on 1 October 2026, introducing a daily Airbus A350 connection between Dubai and the Finnish capital.
Flight EK167 departed Dubai at 07:30 with a near-full passenger and cargo load, according to the airline. Emirates says the route is the only year-round direct link between the UAE and Finland.
The service gives Helsinki-bound travellers access to connections from nearly 140 points across the Emirates network, while opening additional travel options via Dubai for passengers departing Finland.
Three Cabins and Finnish-Inspired Dining
The Helsinki route is operated by an Airbus A350 configured with 298 seats across Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.
Onboard menus feature Finnish-inspired dishes, including juniper-marinated salmon, seared venison with sage butter and blackberry sauce, and lingonberry marble cheesecake with berry compote.
The daily schedule is designed to connect through Dubai with destinations across Asia, the Indian Ocean, Africa, the Middle East and Australasia.
New Cargo Capacity Between Finland and the UAE
Alongside passenger services, Emirates SkyCargo will offer up to 16 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity on each Helsinki flight.
The airline expects the route to support shipments of pharmaceuticals, electronics, machinery, timber and perishables, connecting Finnish businesses with the UAE and onward markets through Dubai.
According to Emirates, the UAE is Finland’s largest trading partner in the Gulf. The new service adds direct air freight capacity to that relationship.
Delegation Joins Inaugural Flight
Representatives from government, aviation and business travelled on the first flight, with delegates covering areas of cooperation including cybersecurity, digital transformation, energy, trade and education.
Those onboard included Tuula Yrjölä, Finland’s Ambassador to the UAE and Bahrain, and Mohamed Rashid bin Taliah, the UAE’s Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Government Knowledge Exchange.
The Emirates delegation was led by Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, alongside Jeffrey Van Haeften, Senior Vice President of Cargo Commercial Worldwide at Emirates SkyCargo.
Tickets are available through the Emirates website, its app and travel agents.
