LaGuardia sinkhole closes one runway

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shut one of LaGuardia Airport’s two runways on Wednesday after crews found a sinkhole during a daily airfield inspection, disrupting flights on the eve of the Memorial Day travel rush. The hole was discovered near Runway 4/22 at about 11 a.m., according to the Port Authority. The Federal Aviation Administration said it was slowing flights into LaGuardia because of “weather and a sinkhole on Runway 4/22.” By Wednesday afternoon, delays and cancellations were spreading as all traffic shifted to the airport’s remaining runway. ### Where was the sinkhole, and when was it found? Port Authority crews found the sinkhole near Runway 4/22 during a routine inspection on May 20, the agency said. The runway was “immediately” shut down, and emergency construction and engineering crews were sent to the site to determine the cause and make repairs. CBS New York reported the hole was on the taxiway at the edge of Runway 4/22. (abcnews.com) Video from local outlets showed heavy equipment, including an excavator and dump truck, working near the damaged area. ### Why did one runway closure cause such a big disruption? LaGuardia has only two runways, and the closure of Runway 4/22 forced all takeoffs and landings onto Runway 13/31, according to CBS New York. (cnbc.com) That reduced operating capacity at one of the country’s most congested airports just as holiday traffic was building. The Port Authority warned travelers to expect delays and cancellations, and CNBC reported the disruption came as thunderstorms were also forecast for the New York area. (cbsnews.com) The FAA said weather was already affecting airports across the region, including Newark, Kennedy and airports in the Washington area. ### How bad were the delays and cancellations? (cbsnews.com) ABC News reported that by Wednesday mid-afternoon, flights departing to LaGuardia were delayed an average of 98 minutes. FlightAware data cited by ABC showed 197 cancellations into and out of LaGuardia and 168 delays at that point. Local coverage on Thursday said the disruption was continuing into the morning. (cnbc.com) Gothamist reported Runway 4/22 was still closed Thursday morning as repairs continued, while 6abc said the runway remained shut as of 6 a.m. and departures were being routed to the other runway. ### What have airlines and officials told travelers? (abcnews.com) The Port Authority told travelers to expect delays and cancellations and urged them to check directly with their airlines for updated flight status. LaGuardia Airport said on social media that the agency was in close communication with airlines and airport partners. (gothamist.com) Southwest Airlines said about 20 of its arriving flights would be delayed on Wednesday, though a spokesman said weather was also a factor. Delta Air Lines said it had issued a weather waiver for flights in and out of New York City-area airports and allowed customers to rebook through Sunday. ### When is the runway expected to reopen? (abcnews.com) An FAA notice cited by ABC News said Runway 4/22 was expected to remain closed until at least 6 a.m. Eastern on Thursday, though that timing was subject to change. By early Thursday, Gothamist reported reopening was expected around noon, while CBS New York said there was still no firm reopening timeline. (cnbc.com) Thursday’s next milestone is the return of Runway 4/22 to service. Until then, the Port Authority and FAA are managing LaGuardia on a single runway, and airlines are updating schedules flight by flight. (gothamist.com) (abcnews.com)