LaGuardia runway closed by sinkhole

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shut LaGuardia Airport’s Runway 4/22 on Wednesday after crews found a sinkhole during a daily morning inspection of the airfield, forcing the airport to operate with one of its two runways out of service. The agency said the hole was identified near Runway 4/22 at about 11 a.m. local time and that the runway was immediately closed while emergency construction and engineering crews moved in. The Federal Aviation Administration said it was slowing flights into LaGuardia because of weather and the runway problem, and warned the closure would add to delays and cancellations. Thunderstorms in the New York region compounded the disruption. ### Where exactly was the problem, and why did it trigger an immediate shutdown? Runway 4/22 sits at the center of LaGuardia’s airfield and is one of only two runways at the Queens airport, which means any closure can quickly constrain operations. The Port Authority said the sinkhole was found near the runway during a routine inspection, and officials closed the strip before determining the cause and scope of repairs. (cnbc.com) The FAA said the runway was expected to remain closed until 6 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, according to a notice cited by ABC News. That timetable was subject to change, with weather also a factor in how quickly crews could finish the work. ### How much did it disrupt flights? The FAA said it was slowing flights into LaGuardia because of “weather and a sinkhole on Runway 4/22.” By Wednesday afternoon, ABC News reported the airport was under a ground delay, with departing flights to LaGuardia delayed by an average of 98 minutes. (cnbc.com) (abcnews.com) Flight disruptions spread across airlines. CNBC reported Southwest Airlines expected about 20 arrivals to be delayed on Wednesday, while Delta Air Lines said it had issued a weather waiver for flights in and out of New York City-area airports, allowing customers to rebook through Sunday. The Port Authority told travelers to expect delays and cancellations and to check directly with airlines for flight status. (abcnews.com) ### Why is Runway 4/22 especially sensitive infrastructure? Port Authority contract records show Runway 4/22 has been the subject of multiple recent capital and maintenance projects. A 2024 solicitation covered replacement of runway deck expansion joints on Runway 4/22 and the Runway 13/31 extension decks, with an estimated value of $10 million to $15 million. A separate 2023 contract covered rehabilitation of runway deck structural elements, including steel-pile cathodic protection and repairs to concrete pile caps, girders and deck panels, with an estimated value of $5 million to $10 million. (cnbc.com) A February 2026 Port Authority solicitation also sought bids for rehabilitation of sections of Taxiways P, CC and BB west of Runway 4/22, including pavement rutting repairs, milling and overlay and related work. Those records show the runway complex is part of an active maintenance program, though they do not establish a cause for Wednesday’s sinkhole. (panynj.gov) ### Does a sinkhole mean the pavement itself failed? The Port Authority had not publicly identified a cause in the material reviewed on Thursday. But the immediate response pointed to a problem at the pavement edge or below it rather than a scheduled closure. The agency said crews were on site to determine the cause and complete repairs “as quickly and safely as possible.” (panynj.gov) Airport pavement failures do not always begin with dramatic surface cracking. In many cases, airfield closures are triggered after inspectors find localized voids, settlement or edge failures that create an unacceptable risk for aircraft tires, landing gear or ground vehicles. That is an inference from standard airfield operations practice, not a stated finding from LaGuardia officials. The confirmed fact here is narrower: inspectors found a sinkhole, and the runway was closed immediately. (cnbc.com) ### What happens next at LaGuardia? Thursday morning is the first concrete milestone. The FAA notice cited by ABC News said Runway 4/22 was expected to stay closed until 6 a.m. Eastern on May 21, while the Port Authority’s crews assessed the cause and completed repairs. Travelers were told to monitor airline updates, and any reopening or extension would be reflected through airline notices and FAA air traffic status systems. (cnbc.com) (abcnews.com)