LaGuardia Airport Runway Closed Due to Sinkhole Discovery

A sinkhole found during a routine check led to the closure of a major runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday morning. The airport announced the discovery on X, a social media platform.

The Port Authority is working closely with airlines and airport partners to manage the situation. Travelers should expect delays and cancellations throughout the day, particularly with thunderstorms predicted in the area.

This marks the second sinkhole occurrence in the region. On May 14, another sinkhole appeared on the Long Island Expressway, raising concerns about weather-related ground instability.

The runway closure follows a recent incident in which Air Canada Flight 8646 collided with a fire truck on the same runway on March 22. This crash resulted in the death of two pilots and injuries to many others.

Discovery and Repair Efforts

The Port Authority discovered the sinkhole around 11 a.m. during LaGuardia’s daily inspection. Runway 4/22 was immediately closed as emergency crews moved in for repair work.

Local news footage showed several workers and heavy equipment on site addressing the issue.

Impact on Flights

Runway 4/22 is crucial for arrivals and departures at LaGuardia, one of only two runways there. The closure adds to the disruption from expected thunderstorms, leading to significant delays.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), arriving flights faced an average delay of 1 hour and 38 minutes by 2 p.m. ET.

Next Steps

Engineers are currently assessing the size and cause of the sinkhole and its potential impact on the runway. The Port Authority intends to proceed with repairs swiftly, promising updates once more information is available.

Travelers should remain aware of rolling delays into the evening and check with airlines for real-time flight updates.