Norwegian has reported its best ever annual results with profits of £109 million in 2016.
The airline said the growth has been influenced by international growth, particularly on intercontinental routes, as well as increased presence in the UK and Spain.
The company’s total revenue was more than £2.5 billion – an increase of 16 per cent. It took delivery of 21 brand new aircraft in 2016, contributing to a production growth (ASK) of 18 per cent.
The load factor increased by 1.5 percentage points to 88 per cent. A total of 29.3 million passengers chose to travel with Norwegian in 2016, an increase of 14 per cent compared to the previous year.
Norwegian CEO Bjorn Kjos said: “We are very pleased to report our best ever results in a year of strong international growth, establishing operations in new markets and tough competition. Through our global strategy, we are contributing an economic boost and increased employment at our destinations, as well as ensuring that more people can afford to fly.
“We enter 2017 with the ambition to increase and strengthen our foothold in established markets, while simultaneously developing our route network in new parts of the world. This year, 32 brand new aircraft will enter service, including nine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. We will launch more than 50 new routes and recruit over 2,000 new colleagues worldwide.”
Sign up to BBT’s twice-weekly newsletter