LaGuardia Runway Closure Causes Memorial Delays

A sinkhole that opened on Runway 4/22 at LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday forced the shutdown of one of the airport’s two runways and disrupted flights ahead of the Memorial Day travel rush. Port Authority crews kept the runway closed through Friday while inspecting and repairing pavement, and the Federal Aviation Administration warned of extended delays as airlines adjusted schedules. ABC7 New York reported that the runway was expected to reopen Friday before the closure stretched into Saturday morning. By May 24, the FAA’s airport status page showed only minor gate-hold, taxi and arrival delays at LaGuardia. ### How did the runway closure start? Wednesday was the day the problem began, when a sinkhole was discovered in pavement near Runway 4/22 during a Port Authority inspection, according to local reports. ABC7 New York said the hole shut one of LaGuardia’s two runways just before severe weather moved through the region, adding to delays and cancellations. Lohud also reported that the sinkhole was affecting flights as holiday travel began to build. (abc7ny.com) Runway 4/22 is one of LaGuardia’s primary airfield assets. Federal and Port Authority planning documents describe it as a major runway that has undergone rehabilitation work and periodic closures in recent years, underscoring how the loss of a single runway can tighten operations at the Queens airport. ### How bad were the delays before the holiday weekend? Friday brought the sharpest official warning on delays. (abc7ny.com) Patch, citing the FAA, reported that departure delays at LaGuardia had exceeded two hours and could rise further later in the day, with disruptions expected to last until at least early Saturday morning. Travelers were told to check with their airlines for the latest flight information. (panynj.gov) The FAA’s public status page later showed conditions easing. As of the update posted May 24 at 12:25 a.m. UTC, the agency said LaGuardia had no destination-specific delays, with departure gate-hold and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less and arrival delays of 15 minutes or less. The FAA page says those conditions are general airport status, not flight-specific information. ### Why did repairs take until Saturday? Saturday was the reopening target after crews expanded their inspection work. (patch.com) ABC7 New York reported that Port Authority officials conducted around-the-clock inspections and found additional areas of concern, which kept the runway closed until Saturday morning. The Port Authority said the runway reopened only after a “thorough inspection” of airfield pavement using ground-penetrating radar and after repairs were completed. (fly.faa.gov) ABC7 reported that the cause of the sinkhole remained under investigation after the runway returned to service. ### What were airlines and airport officials telling travelers? Port Authority advisories directed travelers to airport-specific alert channels for the latest updates. (abc7ny.com) The agency’s alerts page says passengers should follow airport accounts for current information, while the FAA status page says travelers should check with their airline to determine whether a specific flight is affected. Delta has used similar language during other LaGuardia disruptions this year, telling customers to use the Delta app or the airline’s website for rebooking and flight changes. (abc7ny.com) In a separate March advisory about longer security lines, Delta said customers departing LaGuardia should arrive early to allow extra screening time. ### What should travelers watch now? (panynj.gov) LaGuardia’s immediate operating picture improved after Runway 4/22 reopened, but the Port Authority said the cause of the sinkhole was still under investigation. That leaves the next public milestones tied to agency updates rather than a new repair timetable. The FAA status page and Port Authority airport alerts remain the main public sources for current conditions, and airline-specific apps will show whether an individual itinerary is delayed, canceled or rebooked. (news.delta.com) As of the FAA update posted May 24, general delays at LaGuardia had fallen back to 15 minutes or less. (fly.faa.gov) (abc7ny.com)