LaGuardia runway closed after sinkhole

A sinkhole discovered near Runway 4/22 at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday forced the closure of one of the airport’s two runways and triggered delays and cancellations ahead of the Memorial Day travel weekend. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said crews found the hole at about 11 a.m. during a daily airfield inspection and immediately shut the runway. (abcnews.com) The Federal Aviation Administration said it was slowing flights into LaGuardia because of weather and the sinkhole. By mid-afternoon Wednesday, FlightAware showed 197 cancellations and 168 delays, according to ABC News. ### Where exactly was the sinkhole found? (fly.faa.gov) The Port Authority said the sinkhole was identified near Runway 4/22, on the taxiway at the edge of the runway. The agency said emergency construction and engineering crews were sent to the site to determine the cause and make repairs. CBS New York showed heavy machinery, including an excavator and dump truck, at the scene. ABC News reported the runway was one of two at LaGuardia, a layout that left the airport operating on Runway 13/31 after the closure. AeroXplorer, citing the Port Authority and local coverage, said no injuries were reported. (abcnews.com) ### Why did one runway closure hit LaGuardia so hard? LaGuardia has only two runways, and CBS New York reported that all traffic had to shift to the remaining Runway 13/31 once 4/22 was closed. CNBC said the closure came at one of the country’s most congested airports and just before the busy Memorial Day travel period. ABC News reported that flights departing to LaGuardia were under a ground delay averaging 98 minutes on Wednesday afternoon. (cbsnews.com) AeroXplorer said the loss of one runway reduced capacity at a time when airlines were already preparing for heavy holiday demand. (abcnews.com) ### Was weather also part of the disruption? The FAA said flights into LaGuardia were being slowed “due to weather and a sinkhole on Runway 4/22.” The Port Authority separately warned travelers to expect delays and cancellations, particularly with thunderstorms forecast later in the day. (cbsnews.com) CNBC reported that weather was already delaying flights at all three major airports serving New York City and much of New Jersey, as well as in the Washington area. That meant the runway closure landed during a broader regional air traffic slowdown, according to the FAA and carrier comments cited by CNBC. (abcnews.com) ### What were airlines telling passengers? Southwest Airlines said about 20 of its arrivals would be delayed 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, allowing customers to rebook no later than Sunday, CNBC reported. (abcnews.com) The Port Authority said travelers should check directly with their airlines for the latest flight status. CBS New York reported the airport said it was in close communication with airlines and airport partners as conditions changed. ### What is the latest status? (cnbc.com) The FAA notice cited by ABC News and AeroXplorer said Runway 4/22 was expected to remain closed until 6 a.m. Eastern on Thursday, May 21, though officials said weather could slow repairs. By 5:29 a.m. UTC on May 21, the FAA’s airport status page for LaGuardia showed general departure gate holds and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less, with arrival delays also 15 minutes or less. (cnbc.com) The next public updates are likely to come from the FAA airport status page, airline flight alerts and statements from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. (fly.faa.gov) (abcnews.com) (cbsnews.com)