Christuchurch Airport Re-opens after a Shocking Earthquake

Christchurch International Airport has reopened this afternoon following the damaging 7.1 magnitude earthquake in the city early this morning. After the airport runways and infrastructure were assessed for damage, the airport reopened about 1.30pm, before the Prime Minister and other ministers were due to arrive.

Air New Zealand said 77 domestic flights and 11 international flights had been affected by the airport closure, and it was likely to take the rest of the day to clear the backlog of passengers. Inbound international flights had been diverted to Auckland and Wellington airports, he said.