Geir Karlsen has been appointed chief financial officer, joining from the position as group chief financial officer at shipping company Navig8 Group. He brings “extensive experience from listed companies within shipping and offshore”, the airline said.

Norwegian’s acting chief financial officer Tore Ostby continues in group management in the new position of executive vice-president strategic development.

Kurt Simonsen meanwhile joins the company as chief information officer. During the past 17 years he has been a partner and co-owner of the consulting company Infocom Group AS.

Karlsen said: “Norwegian has become an internationally renowned airline with an existing fleet of more than 140 aircraft and a pending order of more than an additional 200. Aviation is characterised by strong competition, and I hope and believe that my background and experience will contribute to further developing the company.”

Norwegian’s chief executive, Bjorn Kjos, added: "I’m very pleased that Geir Karlsen will be a part of our team. A major part of his professional experience clearly resembles the airline industry, where lease agreements and financing of major transactions are key to succeed.

“At the same time, he has extensive management experience from major international companies that is very important to enable Norwegian’s global growth.”

Simonsen commenced his role on January 2 and Karlsen will begin on April 3. Ostby will continue to act as chief financial officer until Karlsen is on board.