Finnair to get fierce competition as Emirates to launch year-round Helsinki-Dubai
Emirates will launch a daily flight between Helsinki and Dubai from 1 October 2026, expanding its footprint in the Nordics. The route is already served by Finland national carrier Finnair. However, the latter only flies between both cities in the winter season.
The new service introduces the only year-round, direct link between Finland and the UAE, and unlocking expanded opportunities for both international leisure and corporate travelers. The service will operate with Emirates’ newest aircraft type, the A350, bringing its latest products including its acclaimed Premium Economy cabin to Finland, from the inaugural flight.
Emirates flight EK167 will depart Dubai at 08:45hrs*, arriving in Helsinki at 14:55hrs*; the return flight, EK168 will depart Helsinki at 16:45*, landing in Dubai at 00:20* the following day.
The flight schedule has been optimized to ensure smooth onwards connections, offering convenient access to and from key destinations across 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; comprehensive connectivity across West Asia and popular Indian Ocean points; African destinations including Cairo, Cape Town and Johannesburg; major hubs across the Middle East and GCC including Damman, Riyadh, Muscat and Kuwait City; and all five Australian cities on Emirates’ network, as well as connections from Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer said, “The Dubai-Helsinki route is an exciting expansion on our global network. There is already strong demand between Helsinki and Dubai, with travelers 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 travelers 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.”
He continued: “As one of the world’s most in-demand destinations, Finland also offers a unique combination of innovation, nature and culture, unlocking new opportunities for tourism, trade and business with the UAE and beyond. We thank the Finnish government for their partnership and support in establishing this route.”
Tourism remains a key pillar of the country’s economy, with Visit Finland reporting 5 million international tourists in recent years. Emirates’ new route will provide connectivity from over 150 points on its global network, including key points in Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
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