Airline codes
NP · NIA
IATA · ICAO · callsign “NILE BIRD”
Every Nile Air flight number begins with NP. Flight-tracking sites and air traffic control use the ICAO code NIA, and the radio callsign is NILE BIRD.
Nile Air (NP) Guide
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Flights from Cairo to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf and Europe, fleet, cabins, baggage, check-in and how to find cheaper Nile Air fares. Ask a question
In short
Nile Air is a private Egyptian airline based at Cairo International, flying Airbus A320 and A321 jets to about 23 destinations. Its routes cover Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, Iraq, Turkey and Europe, which suits work and family trips between Egypt and the Gulf. Nile Air is not in an alliance and has no loyalty scheme listed. Cabins are Business and Economy.
Nile Air is Egypt’s largest private airline and the second-largest Egyptian airline after EgyptAir.
Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Nile Air. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.
What to expect
Nile Air is a privately owned Egyptian airline based at Cairo International Airport, flying to about 23 destinations in Egypt, the Gulf, the wider Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Europe. It is the largest private airline in Egypt and second only to EgyptAir in the country, and it suits travellers going between Cairo and Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or the UAE, including pilgrims on the way to Umrah.
Background and owners
Nile Air was founded in 2006, received its air operator certificate on 1 November 2009 and launched scheduled flights in March 2011. Egyptian individuals and companies own 60 per cent of the airline. The other 40 per cent belongs to Dr Nasser Al Tayyar, former head of Al Tayyar Group, the Saudi travel company now called Seera. The head office is in Cairo.
The airline has some firsts in Egyptian aviation. In 2011 it became the first private Egyptian airline to publish its schedule on a global distribution system, so travel agents worldwide could sell its seats. In 2016 it was the first airline in the Middle East to use the full Amadeus airline IT suite. Since 2017 it has been the official airline of the Egypt national football team.
Cairo hub and routes to the Gulf and beyond
Cairo is the hub. Wikipedia lists destinations in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, Sudan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Germany, Italy and Sweden. Many routes carry Egyptian workers and families between home and the Gulf, and flights to Saudi Arabia carry Umrah pilgrims.
Nile Air is a full-service airline and does not belong to a global alliance. Check the airline's website for any current frequent flyer offer.
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Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change
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Nile Air official website
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Good to know
- AllianceNone
- Founded2006
Everything you should know
At a glance
Nile Air (IATA: NP, ICAO: NIA) is a private Egyptian airline founded in 2006 and based at Cairo International Airport. It flies about 7 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft to around 23 destinations in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, Iraq, Turkey and Europe, with Business and Economy cabins.
| Headquarters | Cairo, Egypt |
|---|---|
| Fleet types | Airbus A320, A321 |
| Official website | nileair.com |
Flight routes
Destinations and routes
Nile Air serves the places below according to its published network. Routes are added, paused and rescheduled, so confirm the current Nile Air timetable when you search.
Search flights
Saudi Arabia & Gulf
Cairo (CAI) departures3 destinations
FromTo CAI JED CairoJeddah Available airlines1 airline- Nile Air
FromTo CAI RUH CairoRiyadh Available airlines1 airline- Nile Air
FromTo CAI KWI CairoKuwait Available airlines1 airline- Nile Air
Europe
Cairo (CAI) departures1 destination
FromTo CAI ZRH CairoZurich Available airlines1 airline- Nile Air
Fleet and aircraft
The fleet in July 2026 was seven Airbus narrow-bodies: five A320-200s and two A321-200s. Six more are on order, two A321neos and four long-range A321XLRs.
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Airbus A320 Narrow-body · 5 Main network
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Airbus A321 Narrow-body · 2 Busier routes
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Airbus A321neo Narrow-body · on order Future fleet
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Airbus A321XLR Narrow-body · on order Future fleet
Cabin classes
Nile Air sells two cabins, Economy and Business. The aircraft and route decide which Nile Air cabins you can book.
Economy All flights
Full service
MealsChecked bag included
Business All aircraft
Priority and comfort
Priority check-inExtra baggage
Frequent flyer programme
Details of the Nile Air loyalty programme are being added
Add your membership number when you book to earn miles.
Baggage allowance
Check your e-ticket for the exact Nile Air allowance. It is set by the fare type, the cabin and the route, whether you start at CAI or another airport.
Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only
The allowance depends on route, cabin and fare; Saudi routes during Hajj and Umrah seasons can have special rules. Check your e-ticket.
Pro tip: returning from Saudi Arabia with Zamzam water? Ask the airline about its rules before you fly.
Travel day
Online Check-in
Here is the order to follow for an NP flight: check in, sort your documents, meet the airport deadline and drop your bags.
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Step 1
Check in online
Online check-in for NP flights is on the official Nile Air website or app. You need the NP booking reference or e-ticket number and the passenger’s surname.
Booking ref + surname -
Step 2
Prepare your documents
International Nile Air passengers need a passport and whatever visa, residence permit or entry documents the destination requires. Domestic NP passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.
Passport · visa · ID -
Step 3
Arrive early
Each airport has its own Nile Air check-in and bag-drop deadline, listed in your booking. Allow extra time for busy terminals and international NP departures.
Well before departure -
Step 4
Drop your bags
Hand in checked luggage at the Nile Air counter or bag drop, then keep your boarding pass and passport ready for security and the gate.
Nile Air counter
Ready to check in?
Check in and manage your booking on the official Nile Air website.
Save money
Cheap tickets
Nile Air fares out of Cairo move with the season and the fare brand. These habits help keep the price down.
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01
Try midweek NP flights
If your dates can move, look at NP flights across the whole week. Midweek seats are often cheaper than weekend ones.
Midweek flights -
02
Avoid peak seasons
Umrah in Ramadan, the Hajj season and summer holidays are the busiest periods on Saudi and Gulf routes.
Ramadan, Hajj & summer -
03
Price the bundle, not the base fare
The lowest NP fare is not always the cheapest trip once bags and seats are added. Compare the fare types before you pay.
Baggage & changes -
Ready to compare fares?
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Reviews and questions
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Visitors are asking
No. Nile Air is a separate, privately owned Egyptian airline.
Mainly from Cairo to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, Kuwait and Iraq, plus some routes to Turkey and Europe.
Yes, within the rules of your fare. Basic NP fares are the most restrictive, so check the fare conditions first and change the booking through Nile Air or your travel agent.
Yes. Children under two usually travel on an adult’s lap with an infant ticket. Add the infant when you book and check Nile Air’s rules on prams and car seats.
Search the NP flight number on Nile Air’s website or app. Airport departure screens show the same status on the day.
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Other Airlines
Compare Nile Air with other carriers flying the same routes from Cairo.
bookingMentor is an independent travel booking service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nile Air. Airline names and codes are used for identification only. Official information: nileair.com.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Everything travellers ask before flying Nile Air.
Answers checked against Nile Air’s official sources and public aviation references, and reviewed each season.
General
Nile Air is based at Cairo International Airport in Egypt. Its scheduled flights within Egypt and to the Middle East, Europe and Africa operate from Cairo, so most journeys on the airline connect through or start there.
The network includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Turkey, plus routes to Italy, Germany, Sweden, Sudan and Central Asia. Routes can change by season, so check the current schedule on nileair.com.
Nile Air flies Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. The airline has ordered newer Airbus A321neo and A321XLR jets, which are expected to join the fleet in coming years, according to published fleet data.
Baggage allowances depend on the route and fare you buy. Look up the baggage information on nileair.com or in your booking confirmation before travelling, especially on Gulf routes where extra bags are common.
Egyptian individuals and companies own 60 per cent of Nile Air, and Dr Nasser Al Tayyar owns 40 per cent.
Yes. Nile Air has been the official airline of the Egypt national football team since 2017.
Nile Air offers Economy class and Business class.
Prices & payment
No. Nile Air describes itself as a full-service carrier. It offers business and economy cabins rather than the single-class, pay-for-extras model used by most low-cost airlines. Fare conditions still vary, so read them when booking.
Getting there
Yes. Nile Air is the largest private airline in Egypt and the second-largest airline in the country after EgyptAir.
Nile Air uses the IATA code NP and the ICAO code NIA. Its radio callsign is NILE BIRD.
Check in on nileair.com. The Check-in section of this guide walks through it in 4 steps.
No, Nile Air is not a member of Star Alliance, oneworld or SkyTeam.
Booking
Nile Air had seven Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft in July 2026, with A321neos and A321XLRs on order.
Timing & weather
Nile Air launched scheduled flights in March 2011, after receiving its operating certificate in November 2009.
Nile Air was founded in 2006, 20 years ago.
