Sinkhole at LaGuardia Airport forces runway shutdown amidst busy holiday travel
Todd Piro brings attention to a substantial sinkhole issue at LaGuardia Airport that has led to the shutdown of a runway, causing significant travel disruptions. This incident resulted in 24 flight cancellations and 17 delays, affecting the Memorial Day weekend travel plans for thousands of passengers. Emergency crews are currently addressing the runway repairs, though the cause of the sinkhole is still under investigation, adding to the airport’s ongoing operational hurdles.
On Wednesday, LaGuardia Airport temporarily closed one of its two main runways after inspectors detected a “depression” in the pavement near the airstrip. This marks the second instance within a month where the New York City airport has had to halt runway operations due to concerns over pavement integrity.
According to airport officials, the depression, measuring approximately two inches deep, was found adjacent to Runway 4/22, one of the airport’s key runways.
“During an airfield inspection at LaGuardia Airport, an approximately two-inch depression adjacent to Runway 4/22 was identified,” the airport confirmed in a statement.
The closure was implemented as a precautionary measure, with the airport emphasizing that the depression does not currently pose an immediate safety threat. This decision reflects an “abundance of caution” as they work to resolve the issue.
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.
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.
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.
<!–>
–>