Ryanair made a profit of $US19.6 million in the last three months of 2011, due to higher fares and better weather than the same period a year earlier when it lost money.
Fare rises due to higher fuel surcharges more than offset a decline in patronage.
The Irish airline has upgraded its full year profit forecast.
But if oil prices remain volatile, deputy chief executive Howard Miller says the extra costs will have to be passed on to customers.
