Dubai-based carrier flydubai announced during Arabian Travel Market (ATM) the launch of direct flights to Finland’s capital, Helsinki.

The daily service from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) will start from October 11.

Flydubai becomes the first UAE national carrier to operate direct flights to Finland and the first airline to offer a year-round service between Dubai and Helsinki.

Speaking at ATM, Hamad Obaidalla, chief commercial officer of flydubai, said: “Flydubai will be the first UAE national carrier to offer direct flights to the capital of Finland. We remain committed to opening up previously underserved markets and to providing more travel options to fly to Dubai and beyond.”

Arabian Travel Market is the largest travel exhibition in the Middle East. This year, flydubai is participating at ATM for the eighth time, showcasing its new Business and Economy Class offering available onboard its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Jeyhun Efendi, senior vice president Commercial Operations at flydubai, added: “Helsinki is the 10th destination we announced this year as we open up destinations for passengers from across our network. We are confident that the high level of our service and the comfort of our new aircraft with a flat-bed in Business Class will make flights between Dubai and Helsinki a popular choice for passengers.”

To offer passengers more comfort and an enhanced travel experience, the carrier will operate the new route on its brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8. The new cabin offering features a flat-bed in Business Class and in addition to the extra space and privacy, passengers can sleep comfortably during their flight. Economy Class offers new Recaro seats, which are designed to optimise space and comfort so passengers can sit back, relax and enjoy their flight. Flydubai also offers exceptional in-flight entertainment with a full HD, 11.6-inch screen, featuring a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music and games in English, Arabic and Russian. In addition, the Boeing Sky interior with its gently-sculpted sidewalls and its smooth-flowing lines provides passengers with a more relaxing travel environment.

Thierry Aucoc, senior vice president, Commercial at Emirates, said: “This new route is an exciting development for Emirates, flydubai, Finland and the UAE. Through our partnership with flydubai, passengers from destinations on Emirates’ network such as Shanghai, Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong, Thailand or Delhi, can easily connect to Finland with one stop in Dubai. We look forward to witnessing flydubai’s success in Finland.”

Emirates will codeshare on the Helsinki route and as part of the Emirates flydubai partnership, passengers from the hundreds of destinations spanning six continents in over 80 countries, including from Far-East and India, will have an opportunity to travel to Helsinki via Dubai. For bookings under the codeshare, Emirates passengers will receive complimentary meals and the Emirates checked baggage allowance on flights operated by flydubai in Business and Economy classes.

Teemu Ahola, account manager - Asia & Middle East at Visit Finland, said: ”We are thrilled for this route opening and looking forward to our cooperation with flydubai. Last year the registered overnights from UAE increased by 30 per cent in Finland and we are hoping to break the record in 2018.”

He added: “Finland is a great destination both in summer and winter. The pleasantly cool and endless summer days with the midnight sun create a perfect setting for either a relaxing family holiday or an action-packed itinerary with activity options ranging from golf and sailing to canoeing and hiking in the pure nature. Winter season in Finland is a wonderland for people in search of unique experiences such as husky and snowmobile safaris, ice driving experiences and viewing the Northern Lights. Finland is also home to the one and only Santa Claus.”

Finland is popular both as a winter destination, offering a unique opportunity to watch the Northern Lights and visit Santa Claus’s home in Lapland, and as a summer destination, with its numerous lakes and forests. Helsinki is perfect for a short break, with a variety of sightseeing attraction including the Unesco heritage site Suomenlinna, a fortress island which is a 20 minutes ferry ride from the city.

Business Class return fares from Dubai to Helsinki start at Dh8,500 ($2,313.7) and are inclusive of all taxes and 40kg checked baggage. Economy Class return fares from Dubai to Helsinki start at Dh1,500 ($408.3) including 7kg of hand baggage.

A special promotional fare is available for tickets purchased from April 22 to May 31, for travel from October 11, 2018, to May 31, 2019. Subject to availability, Business Class return fares will start from Dh5,500 ($1,497.1) and Economy Class return fares from Dh1300 ($353.8). - TradeArabia News Service