Helsinki Gets Year-Round Dubai Link With Emirates
Emirates has announced plans to begin a daily Dubai–Helsinki service on 1 October 2026, creating the only year-round direct connection between Finland and the UAE. The route will be operated with the airline’s new A350 aircraft, which also introduces Premium Economy on services to Finland. Emirates says the schedule is designed to support both leisure and corporate travel demand between the Nordic region and the Middle East.
The timetable has been confirmed for daily service with the following times:
- EK167 Dubai → Helsinki: departs 08:45, arrives 14:55
- EK168 Helsinki → Dubai: departs 16:45, arrives 00:20 (+1)
According to the airline, these timings allow connections across its long-haul network, including East and Southeast Asia, Australia, West Asia, the Indian Ocean region and major Middle Eastern hubs. Emirates expects demand to grow among travellers currently using indirect routes.
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.
In its announcement, Emirates highlighted strong interest in Finland as a destination, along with government cooperation supporting the launch. Visit Finland has recently reported steady international tourism figures and growing interest in nature-based experiences. Finland was also named on Lonely Planet’s 2026 must-visit list, adding momentum to the aviation decision. The airline expects inbound tourism, business exchanges and air cargo to benefit from the new link.
What Becomes Easier For Travellers
With a non-stop Gulf connection in place, reaching Finland’s key highlights becomes more straightforward during all seasons, including:
- Helsinki’s design, sauna culture and waterfront districts
- Lapland’s northern lights, ski resorts and wildlife parks
- National parks such as Nuuksio and Urho Kekkonen
- Lake regions including Saimaa, home to the rare ringed seal
These experiences remain accessible with shorter journey times and fewer transfers via European hubs.
The addition of Helsinki strengthens the Nordic network for Emirates and gives Finland a direct Gulf corridor without seasonal breaks. For international travellers, the route removes a common stopover and aligns with Finland’s push to keep attracting long-haul visitors past summer peak. If schedules stay reliable, Helsinki could gain more attention as a year-round gateway for nature travel, business visits and regional trips across Lapland and the Baltic.