Norwegian saw a marginal increase in load factors last month with slightly more than 3.7 million passengers in the month.
The carrier’s load factor was 93.5%, up half a percentage point. Total traffic increased by 6% and the capacity growth was 5%, the airline announced.
Norwegian on-time performance was 68.1% in July, the airline saying it was impacted negatively due to general summer delays in European airspace, which was outside of its control.
It added the use of wetlease aircraft in July also affected the on-time performance negatively.
Geir Karlsen, chief financial officer and acting chief executive, said: “Following a period of significant expansion and investments, the growth is slowing down, which is in line with our strategy of moving from growth to profitability.
“The figures also show that passengers travel longer distances and a higher load factor. This means that more people choose Norwegian when they are travelling, not least on intercontinental flights.”
Podcast: Is the aviation sector in turmoil?
Norwegian’s long-haul operations saw a capacity growth of 20% in July with a load factor of 94%.
The number of passengers sourced from the US increased in July so that half on board Norwegian’s intercontinental flights were Americans flying to Scandinavia, the UK, Spain, France, The Netherlands or Italy.
Karlsen said: “This proves that Norwegian continues to boost local tourism, create jobs, drive economic growth and social progress in all markets we fly.”
More: Norwegian Air CEO Bjorn Kos steps down
Norwegian Air reports second successive year of deep losses
Norwegian suffers steeper winter losses
Norwegian took delivery of one Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in July and said its continued fleet renewal contributed to a further reduction of CO2 emissions from 68 to 67 grams per passenger kilometre compared to the same month last year.
With an average age of 3.8 years, Norwegian claims to have one of the world’s most environmentally friendly fleets and has reduced its per passenger emissions by 30% since 2008.