Watch: Sinkhole at New York’s LaGuardia Airport forces runway shutdown; flight delays, cancellations expected

New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) shut down Runway 4/22 on May 20, 2026, after a sinkhole was discovered during a routine morning inspection by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The runway closure followed the unexpected appearance of the sinkhole, which was confirmed by airport officials via social media platform X. Emergency construction and engineering crews were immediately dispatched to assess and repair the damage, though the cause remains under investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the runway would stay closed until 10 am Thursday, leading to widespread flight delays of up to an hour and a half. Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for updates. The incident occurred at the same runway where Air Canada flight AC8646 collided with a fire truck on March 22, 2026. LaGuardia had already warned travelers about weather-related disruptions and advised budgeting extra travel time due to ongoing issues, including a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) strike. A video shared on X showed an excavator assisting with repairs, while air traffic recordings revealed pilots inquiring about the runway closure. The Port Authority confirmed it is coordinating with airlines and airport partners to minimize further disruptions. Repairs are underway to reopen the runway as quickly and safely as possible, but no timeline beyond the initial FAA update has been provided. Travelers are urged to stay informed through official channels.