Christchurch Airport closed due to earthquake

[Justin L]

Christchurch Airport has been closed due to the earthquake this morning.

No reports of damage, just checking facilities.

The quake was felt through much of New Zealand's South Island where Christchurch is located on its east coast, local media said.

Christchurch International Airport, the main international gateway to the South Island, has been closed and rail movement in the South Island has been stopped while facilities are checked.

The Press

Airport, rail lines closed

Christchurch Airport is closed, and a spokeswoman said it was unlikely to reopen before 10am at the earliest.

Spokesman Gareth Owen said the airport was closed until 10am to conduct checks on possible damage to buildings or runways.

Checks were being conducted on buildings and runways.

Owen said there did not appear to be any major structural damage "at this stage".

All inbound flights had been diverted, while aircraft in the city were staying on the ground.

Owen said most passengers were staying away from the airport, while those who were there were being "well-catered for".
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He said the airport would review the situation soon, and could extend the closure if necessary.

The rail network in the South Island has been shut down while it is inspected for damage.

[Jarden S]

I heard one 737 was damaged with the aerobridge swaying into it. I not sure which airline. By the photos on the news a lot of buildings have come down in the 7.4 earthquake the biggest in the city for 100 years.

[Dave Dale]

I believe it has just opened according to TVNZ.

dave

[Dave Dale]

Christchurch airport updates airport closed to at least 1PM NZ time.

[David Ramsay]

Relevant NOTAMs

B3536/10 FROM: 04 SEP 2010 00:05 TO: 04 SEP 2010 03:00 EST
AD CLSD DUE EARTHQUAKE

B3530/10 FROM: 03 SEP 2010 18:38 TO: 04 SEP 2010 03:00 EST
RWY 02 PAPI NOT AVBL DUE EARTHQUAKE, AWAITING GNDCK

B3528/10 FROM: 03 SEP 2010 18:16 TO: 04 SEP 2010 03:00 EST
NZ08,NZ09
RSR/TAR OPR BUT CTN DUE SSR U/S.
RSR NOT AVBL S AND W OF NZCH.
THE SAFETY NET FUNCTION MNM SAFE ALT WARNING (MSAW) NOT AVBL WI
CHRISTCHURCH CTR/C AND ALL CTA AIRSPACE WI 45NM OF NZCH.

[Nigel C]

How shocking!

[Rod Sloan]

CHC open

[David Ramsay]

Notam b3537/10 from: 04 sep 2010 01:33 to: 05 sep 2010 01:30 est
ad opr with limited atc ser: Intl ops, domestic jet, military,
civil defence and sked turboprop flights only.
General aviation ops prohibited

atis nzch l 0133
apch: Expect visual approach
rwy: 02
sfc cond: Dry
opr info: Runway 11 29 closed papi unserviceable
wind: 310/05
vis: 50km
cld: Nsc
t: 14
dp: M02
qnh: 1016
2000ft: F270/40

[Raymond Rowe]

There is an curfew on all of CHC no one is allowed out from 7pm to 7 am just been talking to someone there on the landline

[Torin Wilson]

Only for the city area, most likely within the four avenues.