Christchurch Airport has announced its strongest ever result, off the back of a big rise in international tourism.

Underlying operating profit is up 30.6 percent, operating revenue is up 11.4 percent, and total passenger numbers are up 7.1 percent.

Chief executive Justin Watson says it's taken a lot of work to grow the airport, and they're starting to see the fruits of that labour.

"With everything else that's going on in the rest of the world, the South Island is a bit of a haven. And so we're seeing that - we're also seeing the strength of Christchurch as a destination."

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