Qatar Airways launches first flight to Finland

Qatar Airways has launched service to Finland, with its inaugural flight landing in Helsinki in October.

The airline's daily flights between its hub in Doha and Finland's capital will be serviced by an Airbus A320.

"We are happy to welcome Qatar Airways with its global network to open access to Finland from markets that represent new growth potential to the Finnish travel industry," Paavo Virkkunen, head of Finpro's Visit Finland unit, said. "We believe that travelers from the Middle East and from other countries that have now become connected with Finland will find the fresh and pure Nordic nature a new kind of experience really worth exploring."

In addition to the Finland service, Qatar Airways has entered into a new code-share partnership with Finnair.

"Launching our new route to Helsinki is a proud moment for the airline, completing our strategy of serving the needs of Europe’s Nordic capitals and facilitating connections for businesses, cultures and families between Finns and people throughout the world," Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said. "With this new service, the people of Helsinki have convenient and world-class air service to more destinations, and we look forward to welcoming our new customers on board."

Qatar Airways already serves the Nordic cities of Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm.