New Zealand-listed infrastructure owner Infratil is making international headlines by providing fuel to Iranian planes banned from refuelling in countries that have economic ties with the United States.
In Britain, the Mail Online reported yesterday the planes were dodging the sanctions by filling up at the privately owned Manston Airport, in Kent.
Infratil, the owner of the United Kingdom's smallest airport - a former RAF base in World War 2 - has struck up a deal to supply the planes, that carry up to 266 passengers, with the fuel they need, the website reported.
The Iran Air flights were allowed to land at Heathrow but they were not able to refuel for the journey home at any airport that has trade links with the United States, the Mail Online said.
An airport spokesman told the Sunday Express: "We are complying with all the regulations laid down by the Civil Aviation Authority. There is no reason why we shouldn't do it.
"As a small airport we have to do business where we can. We have flights from Iran Air refuelling on a regular basis."
Infratil, which also owns an airport in Glasgow, saw first-half profit slide 12%, compared with the previous year's interim result which included a $61 million gain from the purchase of Z Energy.
Infratil posted an after-tax profit of $89 million for the six months ending September 30, from $101 million a year earlier.
Using Infratil's preferred measurement of ebitdaf (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and fair value adjustments), earnings were up 7% to $273 million.
The sanctions which affect Western Europe were imposed after fears that Iran is developing nuclear weapons.
Oil giants BP and Shell are refusing to service Iranian jets at Heathrow while the United Kingdom has announced that all credit and financial institutions to cease trading with Iran.
