The carrier flew nearly 26 million passengers in 2015 and a load factor of 86%.

Norwegian put the rise down to expansion in the UK and a rise in the number of long-haul flights offered.

Norwegian carried 25.7 million passengers in 2015 - 2 million more than the previous year. The company took delivery of 11 new aircraft and launched several new routes. The 2015 load factor was 86%, up from 81% in 2014.

In December, Norwegian carried almost 1.7 million passengers, up 9% on the same month last year.

Norwegian chief executive Bjorn Kjos said: “UK activity in particular has helped fuel a strong 2015 for Norwegian and we have seen our busiest ever year in the UK.

“With a new ‘Norwegian UK’ subsidiary now being established and further new long-haul routes planned, the UK market will continue to be central to our growth plans for 2016.”

In November the airline launched the UK’s only direct route to Puerto Rico in the Caribbean. Flights to Boston and San Francisco Oakland will begin this year.