Kent Airport stops selling fuel to Iran Air
01.12.11
Manston airport in Kent has stopped refuelling Iran Air flights in the face of US sanctions that had caused fuel suppliers at Heathrow to refuse to deal with the state-owned airline. The US imposed sanctions on Iran amid suspicions the Middle Eastern state was developing nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear power programme.
Iran Air flights have been allowed to continue using Heathrow, but were forced to land at Manston Airport for fuel for return journeys to Iran. Steve Fitzgerald, head of Infratil's European Airports division that includes Manston and Prestwick, said the company had checked with British authorities that the fuel sales did not breach any laws. He said the decision to cease fuel sales was ‘a commercial, judgmental decision. There's concern among Governments that dealing with Iran at the moment is sensitive. Iran Air was advised a week ago that Kent International Airport is no longer willing to supply them with fuel.'
The news comes amid a deepening diplomatic rift between the UK and Iran, after protesters stormed the British embassy in Tehran. The Government responded by expelling Iranian diplomats.
To book airport hotels uk or airport parking uk at the lowest price, click on these links to two great uk airport parking and uk airport hotels price comparison pages.
