Malaysia Airlines reported a 51 percent rise in third-quarter net profit on Monday, driven by higher operating revenue.

The carrier reported net profit of MYR363.9 million ringgit (USD$108.6 million) for the three months ended September 30, compared with MYR240.3 million a year earlier.

The state carrier, which posted two straight years of losses since 2005, is set to return to full-year profit this year aided by a business turnaround plan devised by Chief Executive Idris Jala that has seen better yields and cost reduction.

But the airline has warned soaring fuel costs and the possible opening of the lucrative Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route to competition ahead of time could hurt earnings.

Malaysia Airlines' shares have fallen 20 percent in the third quarter, worse than the benchmark Kuala Lumpur Composite Index.