Speaking to Norwegian news website E24, chief executive Kjos confirmed the Norwegian board received an offer from a stakeholder “good enough to proceed”.

“It was supported by the board,” Kjos reportedly told the outlet.

However, the bid was delayed and eventually fell through, said Kjos, because of “market turbulence in December” and “no clarity on Brexit”.

IAG took a 4.61% stake in Norwegian in April last year with a view to a full bid for the low-cost carrier.

However, IAG reportedly ended its interest in Norwegian in August after its two preliminary bids were rebuffed. IAG last month confirmed it would now dispose of its shareholding.

Last week, shares in Norwegian fell sharply after the airline reported annual losses of nearly £200 million.

Shareholders, including Kjos, took steps through a right (share) issue to raise about NOK 3 billion (£270 million) to shore up the company’s finances.

This came after Norwegian last month outlined in more details its proposed cost-cutting measures for 2019.

Meanwhile, the Sunday Times reports credit card companies withheld payments from Norwegian amid fears the carrier was on the verge of collapse.

A Norwegian spokesperson told the newspaper: “Some acquirers had taken the decision to hold back payments, but the situation has now improved and is stable due to our liquidity situation.”