On 1 October, Emirates flew from Dubai to Helsinki for the very first time. Flight EK167 left at 07:30 with a near-full load of passengers and cargo, and carried a VIP delegation and media. We were proud to have our Chairman, Samuli Pesu, on board the inaugural flight. He travelled alongside Adnan Kazim, Deputy President & COO of Emirates, Her Excellency Tuula Yrjölä, Finland’s Ambassador to the UAE and Bahrain, and other distinguished guests.

The route is the only direct year-round link between Finland and the UAE, with a daily flight on the Airbus A350, which brings Premium Economy to Helsinki from day one. It also connects Helsinki to nearly 140 points on Emirates' network, and Emirates SkyCargo offers up to 16 tonnes of bellyhold capacity on each flight, opening up trade in both directions.

For our members and the wider Nordic business community in the UAE, a direct flight means shorter journeys, easier travel and stronger business ties between our two countries. Thank you to Emirates for this milestone. We look forward to many more journeys between Dubai and Helsinki.