Full Breakdown
LaGuardia Runway Closed After Sinkhole Discovered During Routine Inspection
5/21/2026, 11:14:26 AM
Runway 4/22 Shut Down by Sinkhole
At approximately 11 a.m. on 20 May 2026, crews conducting the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s daily airfield inspection at LaGuardia Airport identified a sinkhole near runway 4/22. The runway was immediately closed, and emergency construction and engineering teams were dispatched to assess the defect and begin repairs. The closure left only runway 13/31 available for all arrivals and departures at the busy Queens-based airport.
Background & Context
Runway 4/22 has been the site of a fatal incident two months earlier, when an Air Canada Express jet struck a Port Authority fire truck during landing, killing two pilots. LaGuardia, built on reclaimed land in the 1930s, has long faced ground-stability challenges; a 2025 industry report noted that 3.5 million sq m of runway surface nationwide are experiencing significant sinking, with San Francisco International Airport sinking the fastest. A separate sinkhole opened on the Long Island Expressway on 14 May, raising broader concerns about subsurface conditions in the region.
Data & Statistics
- FlightAware recorded 197 cancellations and 168 delays by mid-afternoon, while the Independent reported 252 cancellations and 321 delays by nightfall.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported an average arrival delay of 1 hour 38 minutes (? 98 minutes) and a ground-delay program averaging 105 minutes for departures.
- Approximately 20 Southwest arrivals and a significant number of Delta flights were affected; Delta operates roughly 40 % of LaGuardia’s traffic.
- Thunderstorms forecast for the afternoon and evening added an estimated 40-minute increase in arrival delays.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Port Authority’s social-media release emphasized immediate safety actions and urged travelers to monitor airline updates.
- The FAA issued a NOTAM indicating that flights would be slowed “due to weather and a sinkhole on runway 4/22.”
- LaGuardia Airport confirmed that emergency crews, including an excavator and dump truck, were on site and that the runway would remain closed until at least 6 a.m. Thursday.
- Airlines were advised to adjust schedules; Delta announced a weather waiver for affected flights.
Criticism & Opposition
Transportation experts highlighted the airport’s aging underground infrastructure as a likely contributor. Assistant professor Wei Li (Stony Brook University) noted that “relatively loose material” beneath Long Island often leads to subsurface voids. CBS News correspondent Kris Van Cleave warned that “potholes on runways…are fairly unusual, but like any roadway, something can undermine that surface and cause it to collapse.” Critics argue that more proactive geotechnical monitoring could mitigate future incidents.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of delayed and cancelled flights, ranging from 150 delays/200 cancellations (1010 WINS) to 321 delays/252 cancellations (The Independent). No agency has identified a definitive cause for the sinkhole; possibilities mentioned include a fuel-line tunneling project and general subsurface erosion, but investigations remain ongoing.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The runway was immediately shut down, and emergency construction and engineering crews are onsite to determine the cause and complete necessary repairs as quickly and safely as possible.” — LaGuardia Airport, X post
- “Travelers should expect delays and cancellations, particularly with forecast thunderstorms expected later today, and are strongly encouraged to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight status information.” — Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, social media
- “Potholes on runways and the taxiways at an airport are fairly unusual, but like any roadway, something can undermine that surface and cause it to collapse,” — Kris Van Cleave, CBS News senior transportation correspondent
- “There's a sinkhole,” — Ground controller, ATC.com audio
- “The Port Authority is in close communication with airlines and airport partners and will continue providing updates as conditions evolve.” — Port Authority spokesperson
What’s Next
Port Authority engineers will continue evaluating the sinkhole’s size and structural impact, with repairs slated to finish by early Thursday. Forecasts call for severe thunderstorms through the evening, potentially extending delays. Travelers are advised to check airline communications and consider alternative airports (JFK, Newark) for the Memorial Day travel weekend.
