A sinkhole has abruptly shut down Runway 4/22 at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport, triggering widespread 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 on Wednesday around 11 a.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed flights into LaGuardia are being slowed due to both weather conditions and the sinkhole incident. The Port Authority warned travelers to expect significant delays, particularly with thunderstorms forecasted through the evening, and urged airlines for real-time flight updates. Current data shows 197 flights canceled or delayed across the airport, with departing passengers facing average wait times of 98 minutes.
LaGuardia Airport officials stated that emergency crews are on site to determine the sinkhole’s cause and complete repairs safely and swiftly. The airport operates under a ground delay protocol as all aircraft now must use Runway 13/31—a single runway—after Runway 4/22 was immediately closed. This situation compounds existing challenges, with severe afternoon thunderstorms expected to further strain operations.
The Port Authority emphasized ongoing coordination with airlines and partners to provide evolving updates as the incident develops.
