Yesterday, I looked at how the aviation industry was nose diving, cranking up big losses from the global meltdown and swine flu.

But one airline seems to be doing okay and weathering the storm. Ryanair is posting profits and continuing to attract passengers despite the recession thanks to its aggressive marketing campaign.

Ryanair also seems to know about extracting more fees out of willing passengers. Back in February, I did an entry looking at how Ryanair was imposing a pee fee on passengers, charging them to use the toilet on the plane. All part of the extraordinary number of fees the airline slaps on its passengers. Everything from fees on checked baggage to sports equipment to musical instruments to baby chairs.

Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary defends the toilet fees and all the others, telling the New York Times it's about running a good business that doesn't lose money. The service might be second rate and the fees annoying but it offers four things passengers want: low fares, good on-time records, few cancellations and only a handful of lost suitcases. If you want anything else, go to British Airways.

Given the state of the airline industry, you would have to wonder whether that's the only way airlines can make money in today's market. Treat passengers like dirt but provide a cheap service that doesn't screw up. We could be looking at the future of airlines.