Ryanair revealed it remains on track to hit annual forecasts but sounded a cautious note about the winter.
The carrier said it had managed to combat higher fuel prices by raising ticket prices and improving cost efficiencies across the business.
Figures released yesterday showed it carried three million passengers in September, a 27 per cent increase on the same month last year, and its planes were 87 per cent full, unchanged on last time.
Unlike many of its rivals, Ryanair has not implemented a fuel surcharge in response to the soaring cost of crude oil in recent months.
However, it said it expected these rivals to reduce their underlying fares in a bid to be more competitive. This meant the amount Ryanair earns per passenger would be slightly lower, as expected.
The group predicted passenger numbers and load factors - which measures how full its planes are - would remain strong.
Chief executive Michael O'Leary said he remained "cautious but comfortable" with previous guidance for the financial year.
Ryanair said in August that it expected to passenger numbers to increase by about 27 per cent to 35 million.
The carrier also said that it had ordered nine new Boeing 737-800 planes valued at more than £340 million for delivery in late 2007.
Last month Mr O'Leary launched an outspoken attack on Birmingham International Airport after announcing an expansion of his company's operations at rival Nottingham East Midlands Airport.
He said it was a "tragedy" Birmingham had not cut its charges and he claimed it was overdependent on British Airways, sayinging the airline would pull out within five years.
