Sinkhole Forces LaGuardia Runway Closure, Hundreds of Flights Disrupted

Sinkhole Forces LaGuardia Runway Closure, Hundreds of Flights Disrupted

A sinkhole discovered near Runway 4/22 at New York's LaGuardia Airport forced the immediate shutdown of one of the airport's two primary runways Tuesday. The hazard was identified during a routine Port Authority inspection around 11 a.m. on Taxiway Yankee, adjacent to the runway edge. Emergency construction and engineering crews were dispatched to assess structural damage and perform stabilization work.

Operational impacts were immediate and severe, with the FAA imposing arrival rate restrictions due to reduced capacity and ongoing severe thunderstorms in the region. According to FlightAware data, more than 100 departures were delayed and over 100 arrivals canceled, with approximately 95 departures also scrubbed. Delta Air Lines, which operates a major hub at LaGuardia, bore the brunt of disruptions with over 90 cancellations and more than 400 delays.

No official cause for the sinkhole has been released, though heavy rainfall is being considered a potential contributing factor to subsurface erosion. The runway remains closed pending full repairs and safety confirmation. Airport authorities are urging travelers to check flight status before heading to the terminal, as delays and cancellations may continue into the evening.