I suspect that this may be an airport security issue.
These documents may be of interest
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1187.shtm
Camp Stoves - These can travel as carry-on or checked luggage only if they are empty of all fuel and cleaned so that there are no vapors or residue left. Simply emptying the fuel container will leave flammable vapors. We recommend that you ship the fuel containers to your destination ahead of time - passengers frequently have to leave them at the checkpoint because of fuel vapors.
Here is what IATA state
http://www.airberlin.com/site/affili...n.pdf?LANG=eng
this was also discussed in 2004
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/t-381023.html