NEW ZEALAND. Christchurch Airport reopened for domestic flights this morning New Zealand time, and international services recommenced in the afternoon.
The airport was shut down following the 6.3 magnitude tremor that struck the already earthquake-hit city just before 1pm on Tuesday 22 February.
 |
Christchurch Airport has announced the reopening of both international and domestic flights on its website |
Much of Christchurch remains a disaster zone. The death toll is provisionally put at 75 but is expected to rise, with many people still trapped in collapsed buildings in the city centre.
International relief teams are arriving at the airport to assist in search and rescue efforts.
 Putting things in perspective |
| My city is being pummelled today and its people are suffering. |
| The Moodie Blog |
Speaking on Radio New Zealand National, Christchurch Airport CEO Jim Boult gave the assurance that the airport had sustained only cosmetic damage and was ready to resume normal operations.
Christchurch Airport expects to clear its backlog of domestic flights by the end of today, but may require another two days for international flights, Boult said.
JR Duty Free General Manager Australia/New Zealand Kate Gorman confirmed that all their Christchurch employees had escaped harm in the quake.
“We are deeply saddened by the impact of this event on the Christchurch community,” Gorman told The Moodie Report. “The most important thing at this time is people.”
JR Duty Free’s stores at Christchurch have suffered considerable loss of stock, mostly from broken liquor and wine bottles, Gorman confirmed.
“We have been cleared to enter the stores and start the clean-up process, and we will resume serving flights as soon as we can assure the complete safety of staff and customers.”
 |
Devastation in Christchurch (Photo: Reuters) |
National emergency
New Zealand’s government declared a national state of emergency today to permit the highest level of coordination of rescue and recovery efforts in Christchurch.
Prime Minister John Key, who described yesterday’s events as New Zealand’s darkest day, said that the most effective way for individuals and organisations to help was to make cash donations to recovery appeals.
Key estimated the cost of reconstruction to be at least NZ$6 billion (US$4.5 billion). The cost to tourism-related businesses is only part of an overall economic blow to the nation and to a city that was still recovering from the 7.1 magnitude quake of 4 September 2010.
Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island and a major generator of tourism income. Christchurch Airport handled just over 6 million passenger movements in the 12 months to 30 June 2010.
NOTE:The Moodie Report has a close connection with Christchurch, hometown to both Publisher Martin Moodie and Special Correspondent Peter Dowling. We will be making a substantial donation to an appropriate relief charity as soon as possible.
