This page will updated as more news comes to hand.

Updated 5.23pmChristchurch Airport has reopened after two major earthquakes forced the airport to cease operations earlier today.

Qantas has advised passengers that it has cancelled all flights today while Virgin Australia has assured passengers it will continue to operate services as scheduled.

Updated 3.11pm Christchurch Airport has advised travellers that it will reopen its terminal from 5.30pm local time.

In a Tweet the airport said its building will remain closed until further notice as the building and runways are checked for damages.

Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism said in an online update that no serious injuries have been reported as of yet and all major roads and bridges are still operational.

"Power and water supplies are still operational over most of the city," the update read.

"The message from local tourism operators is that they are operating on a 'safety first' policy; so if they are open then it is safe for visitors."

A statement from Qantas read that the airline has diverted flights from Sydney to Christchurch to Wellington while flights QF45 and QF46 have been cancelled.

Jetstar has also advised its passengers that its flights to the city have been temporarily suspended.

Two flights en-route from Auckland to Christchurch - JQ249 and JQ251 - have been diverted to Auckland and Wellington respectively, the airline said in an online statement.

The Bureau of Meteorology has also issued a warning to people residing in Dundee Beach and Nhulunbuy, Australia to be on cyclone watch.

According to the warning there is a 50 percent change that a low pressure system in the Arafura Sea could become a cyclone by Christmas Eve.