Anti-noise campaigners had wanted the airport to be fined millions

Planning rules state no flights can take off between 2300 and 0700 GMT.

But a maximum of 12 humanitarian, mercy or emergency flights by relief organisations are allowed between those times in a calendar year.

Thanet District Council decided 17 night flights taking replacement currency to Iraq were not humanitarian and fined the airport �52,000.

Sleeping patterns

Local anti-noise campaigners had wanted the owners of the airport, Planestation, to be fined millions for breaching the planning agreement.

Sandy Ezekiel, council leader, said: "The council is fully committed to the agreement as it was put in place to help protect local residents.

"Members are determined to enforce the agreement where we believe it has been breached.

"Night flights disturb sleeping patterns and cause annoyance and while the council is committed to the development of Manston as an airport, it does not want to see this take place to the detriment of the local environment or local residents."