A sinkhole has closed a critical runway at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport, causing widespread flight cancellations and delays as emergency crews work to repair the damage.
According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, workers discovered the sinkhole during a routine morning inspection of the airfield on Wednesday around 11 a.m. The sinkhole is located near Runway 4/22, one of LaGuardia’s two runways.
“The runway was immediately shut down,” the Port Authority stated. Emergency construction and engineering crews are now on-site to determine the cause and complete necessary repairs as quickly and safely as possible.
The Federal Aviation Administration has reported that flights into LaGuardia are being slowed due to weather conditions and the sinkhole incident. The Port Authority warned travelers to expect delays and cancellations, particularly with forecast thunderstorms expected later today. Passengers are urged to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight status updates.
As of now, the airport is under a ground delay, with departing flights experiencing an average delay of 98 minutes. FlightAware data shows 197 cancellations and 168 delays for flights entering or leaving LaGuardia.
The Port Authority noted that approximately 11 a.m. was when crews identified the sinkhole during their daily inspection. “We are in close communication with airlines and airport partners and will continue providing updates as conditions evolve,” the authority added.
LaGuardia’s limited runway capacity exacerbates the situation: unlike nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, which have multiple runways to handle disruptions, LaGuardia relies on just two runways for all takeoffs and landings. With Runway 4/22 shut down for an undetermined duration, all air traffic must now use Runway 13/31, potentially leading to extended delays.
A thunderstorm forecast is expected from the late afternoon through around 8 p.m., compounding the challenges facing travelers.