Norwegian, otherwise known as Norwegian Air Shuttle, has reported record net profits for 2016.

The carrier said that net profit of 1,135mn Norwegian krone ($135.7mn) had been achieved on the back of “global expansion driven by new routes, high load factors and continued fleet renewal”.

New intercontinental routes were added over the year, while the carrier also increased its connections to the UK and Spain.

The company also took delivery of 21 brand new aircraft in 2016.

Revenue was up by 16% in comparison to 2015.

Norwegian chief executive Bjorn Kjos commented: “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.

“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,” Kjos added.

Norwegian Cargo, which was formed in April 2013, handles the Norwegian Group’s commercial cargo activities.