Sinkhole Closes Major Runway at LaGuardia Airport, Disrupting Travel
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey discovered a sinkhole on a taxiway adjacent to Runway 4/22 at LaGuardia Airport on May 20, 2026, during a daily morning inspection at approximately 11 a.m. The runway was subsequently closed for repairs and investigation.
Flight Impact
LaGuardia Airport operates two runways. With Runway 4/22 closed, all air traffic is being routed to Runway 13/31. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported a traffic management program for arriving flights was in place by 3 p.m. EST, with average delays of 1 hour and 37 minutes.
The Port Authority warned travelers to expect further delays and cancellations, advised checking with airlines for flight status, and noted that forecast thunderstorms from late afternoon until 9 p.m. could worsen the situation.
Investigation and Repairs
Emergency construction and engineering crews are investigating the cause of the sinkhole and planning repairs. Investigators are considering various possibilities, including a fuel line tunneling project. The duration of the runway closure has not been determined.
“Sinkholes on runways are uncommon but not unprecedented... potholes can develop from subsurface issues and regular inspections are functioning as intended.”
— Kris Van Cleave, CBS News Senior Transportation Correspondent
Background and Context
- LaGuardia Airport was built on land reclaimed from the surrounding bay in the 1930s, an area previously containing homes, hotels, and an amusement park.
- A 2025 report noted that airports face challenges from uneven ground sinking along runways. San Francisco International Airport is reportedly the fastest-sinking airport, with approximately 3.5 million square meters of runway experiencing significant subsidence and nearly 14,000 square meters at high risk of structural damage.
- In an unrelated incident from earlier in 2026, an Air Canada flight crashed into a Port Authority fire truck on the same runway, Runway 4/22, killing two pilots.
Travel Advisory
LaGuardia Airport said it is in communication with airlines and airport partners and advised travelers to check with their airlines for flight status updates.