Sinkhole at LaGuardia Airport forces runway shutdown amidst busy holiday travel
Todd Piro reports on a significant sinkhole at LaGuardia Airport, leading to a runway shutdown and major travel disruptions. The incident caused 24 cancellations and 17 delays, impacting Memorial Day weekend travel plans for thousands. Emergency crews are working to fix the runway, but the cause remains under investigation, adding to the airport’s recent operational challenges.
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LaGuardia Airport temporarily closed one of its two main runways Wednesday after inspectors discovered a pavement “depression” near the airstrip, marking the second time in less than a month the New York City airport has suspended operations on the runway over pavement concerns.
Airport officials said the depression, which is approximately 2 inches deep, was identified adjacent to Runway 4/22, one of LaGuardia’s two primary runways.
“During an airfield inspection at LaGuardia Airport, an approximately two inch depression adjacent to Runway 4/22 was identified,” the airport said.
The airport said the closure was made proactively and out of an “abundance of caution,” while stressing that the issue does not pose an “immediate safety concern.”
LA GUARDIA AIRPORT RUNWAY SHUT DOWN AFTER SINKHOLE DISCOVERED DURING ROUTINE MORNING INSPECTION
Airplanes are seen on the runway at LaGuardia Airport on March 28, 2026, in New York, New York. (Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)
Arrivals at LaGuardia are currently delayed by an average of 48 minutes but are decreasing, according to FlightAware flight-tracking data. ABC 7 previously reported 174 delays earlier Wednesday, citing the platform.
Runway 4/22 is scheduled to close at 5 p.m. and is expected to remain shut until Thursday morning as repair crews work overnight to conduct additional testing, identify the cause of the issue and perform any necessary stabilization work.
“Our goal is to complete the assessment and any necessary repair work overnight and return the runway to service as soon as it is safe to do so,” the airport said.
AIR CANADA PASSENGER SAYS PILOT ‘DID THE BEST THING HE COULD,’ DESCRIBES DEADLY IMPACT
An airplane taxis on a runway at LaGuardia Airport] on March 28, 2026, in New York, New York. (Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)
During the closure, operations will be shifted to LaGuardia’s remaining main runway, 13/31, beginning at 5 p.m. and are expected to continue until repairs are completed.
LaGuardia said passengers are encouraged to check with their airlines for flight status.
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Crews surround a sinkhole discovered near a runway at LaGuardia Airport. (WNYW)
The incident marks the second time in less than a month that the same section of pavement has required emergency engineering work.
The runway was previously closed after a sinkhole formed around the Memorial Day travel rush.
Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
