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The new year-round service introduces the only nonstop link between the UAE and Finland, with flight EK167 departing Dubai at 08:45 local time and arriving in Helsinki at 14:55 while the return EK168 leaves Helsinki at 16:45 and reaches Dubai at 00:20 the following day, the joint press release distributed by WAM stated. Emirates configured the A350 with 298 seats across business, premium economy and economy classes, bringing the carrier’s latest cabin products to the Finnish market from day one. The schedule supports seamless onward connections to more than 150 destinations across Asia, Africa, Australia and the Middle East.
Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said in the joint announcement that strong existing demand between Helsinki and Dubai, currently met through connections via other Nordic gateways, made the direct route a logical expansion. “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 nonstop, while introducing more premium travel options to market,” Kazim stated. The route will also enable easier access for leisure and corporate travellers while marking Emirates’ deepened presence in the Nordic region.
According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, Emirates operates to 40 destinations across Europe with roughly 81 daily departures, and the Helsinki addition will place the carrier in direct competition with Finnair’s seasonal A350 services on the same corridor. Neither Etihad Airways nor Qatar Airways maintains scheduled flights to the Finnish capital at present. The launch follows the end of year-round Gulf service to Helsinki after flydubai ceased operations there in 2022.
Each flight will provide up to 16 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity through Emirates SkyCargo to transport pharmaceuticals, electronics, machinery, perishables and other high-value goods, the press release noted. Finnish customs data places total bilateral trade between Finland and the UAE at EUR 842 million in 2024, with Finnish exports to the UAE reaching EUR 489 million across sectors including machinery, ships and paper products. The UAE ranks as Finland’s top services export market in the Gulf region.
Around 10,000 tourists from the UAE visit Finland each year while tens of thousands of Finns travel to the Emirates, figures from Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs show. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1975 and marked 50 years of ties in 2025 with enhanced cooperation in advanced technology, sustainability and renewable energy. A series of bilateral agreements covering investment protection, double taxation and defence collaboration underpin the expanding economic relationship.
The A350 is the most fuel-efficient large widebody in commercial service and features the quietest twin-aisle cabin available, according to specifications outlined in the joint statement. Emirates has integrated its latest in-flight entertainment, regionally inspired meals and updated interiors across all cabins on the aircraft. Tickets for the Dubai-Helsinki service are available for purchase via the airline’s website and authorised travel agents.
