Wellington, Sept 10 NZPA - Christchurch International Airport Ltd said it had received many messages of support from international airport companies who had praised its swift response to the magnitude 7.1 earthquake last Saturday.

The airport re-opened seven hours after the quake and had remained open and fully operational since then, although the domestic terminal closed for three hours early on Tuesday morning to assess the effects of an after shock.

"Auckland Airport has sent us four of their tradesmen to help our staff who have been working non-stop since the major quake. The city and the country have all pulled together and it's been a great example of well New Zealand can handle a major natural disaster," chief executive Jim Boult said.

"Most tourism operators are back in business, and we want to let people know that they can continue with plans to visit Canterbury," he said.

The airport is 75 percent owned by the commercial arm of Christchurch City Council and 25 percent owned by the Government.