A terminal at Auckland International Airport was flooded yesterday after the severe thunderstorm. Photo: Facebook / Sher Singh
Auckland Airport's domestic terminal is now open for arrivals and departures, but international flights will not be able to resume until Sunday.
The domestic terminal re-opened at 12pm today.
But the international terminal - which was originally going to reopen for departing flights at 5pm today - will remain closed today, with no arriving or departing flights until tomorrow morning.
In a statement, the airport said it had been assessing the damage to the international terminal and unfortunately determined that no international flights could operate today.
"We know this is extremely frustrating but the safety of passengers is our top priority."
More than 2000 people stayed overnight at Auckland Airport terminals after the flooding left them cut off.
Most of the international travellers who had to stay overnight in airside areas have moved back through border processing into the public areas of the terminal, the airport said in a statement.
Read more on the weather and impacts:
- Live updates on Auckland flooding: PM Hipkins on way to assess damage
- What you need to know: Auckland flooding - where to get help, what to do
- In pictures: Aucklanders wake to destruction after severe thunderstorm
People queued up at Wellington Airport to reschedule flights after all flights to Auckland Airport were cancelled. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
"It's been a really long and challenging night. To travellers who were stranded inside the airport as the floods hit fast - we acknowledge the frustration and thank you for your co-operation with our staff as they worked to keep you safe as a first priority," Auckland Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui.
"Any passengers who need or want to remain inside the terminal until they have made accommodation or travel arrangements are certainly welcome to do so."
Bus transport to the park and ride as well as taxis and ride share options were available from outside the international terminal for passengers wanting to go to their accommodation or home.
The airport encouraged travellers to get in touch with their airline or check their airline travel app for the latest information about their flights.
A team was assessing and rectifying damage inside the terminals and ensuring systems were safe and able to support normal operations, the airport said.