Emirates has departed Dubai for Helsinki, Finland, for the very first time. Emirates flight EK167 departed at 07.30hrs today with a near-full passenger and cargo load, including a VIP delegation and media onboard.

With the new route, Emirates introduces the only year-round direct link between the UAE and Finland, unlocking enhanced opportunities for travellers. The new flight provides connectivity from nearly 140 points on the airline’s global network, including key points in Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, where demand for convenient and comfortable travel to Helsinki continues to grow.

Emirates was honoured to welcome onboard Lieutenant Colonel Juma Abdulla Obaid Bin Subaih Alflasi, Acting Director of Passport Control, Terminal 3, General Directorate for Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

Fostering stronger tourism, trade and culture links between the UAE and Finland, His Excellency Mohamed Rashid bin Taliah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Government Knowledge Exchange joined the inaugural, along with a party of delegates from key areas of cooperation between Finland and the UAE, including cybersecurity, digital transformation, energy, trade and education.

Her Excellency Tuula Yrjölä, Ambassador of Finland to the UAE and Bahrain, as well as Jorge Fernández Gates, Senior Advisor, Embassy of Finland, Abu Dhabi also joined the delegation on the first flight to Helsinki.

Omar bin Ghaleb, Deputy Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority also joined the inaugural flight, along with Samuli Pesu, Chairman of the Finnish Business Council UAE.

The Emirates delegation onboard the inaugural flight was led by Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer and Jeffrey Van Haeften, Senior Vice President of Cargo Commercial Worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo.

The new daily service is operated on an Airbus A350, the newest aircraft type to join Emirates all widebody fleet. Accommodating 298 passengers in three spacious cabins – Business, Premium Economy and Economy – the A350 brings the latest of Emirates’ world-class product and service to Finland from launch, with bright and airy cabins and the latest tech touches. Passengers can dine on regionally inspired multi-course menus with Finnish flavours such as juniper-marinated centre-cut salmon, seared venison served with sage butter and blackberry sauce and lingonberry marble cheesecake with berry compote.

The daily service is timed for seamless passenger connections via Dubai to popular destinations across Asia, the Indian Ocean, Africa, the Middle East and Australasia. Emirates SkyCargo will offer up to 16 tonnes of bellyhold capacity on each Helsinki flight, opening two-way trade between Finland and the UAE, and linking both to global markets via Dubai for key exports such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, machinery, timber and perishables. With the UAE as Finland's largest trading partner in the Gulf, the route will further strengthen trade ties and open new opportunities for Finnish businesses.

Tickets to Helsinki can be booked now on emirates.com, the Emirates app or via travel agents.