NEW: Sinkhole Closes Runway At Major US Airport

Officials are warning of extended delays after a sinkhole was identified near Runway 4/22 at the bustling LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City during a routine inspection. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport, promptly closed the runway to facilitate repairs and investigation.

The sinkhole was discovered around 11 a.m. local time as part of the airport’s daily morning airfield inspection. Crews noticed the issue on or adjacent to the runway area, leading to an immediate shutdown of Runway 4/22, according to a report from the New York Post.

Emergency construction and engineering teams were deployed to the site to assess the cause, determine the extent of any structural impact, and perform necessary repairs.

The closure effectively shut down one of the airport’s two primary runways. With one runway unavailable, all arrivals and departures were redirected to the remaining runway. This configuration, combined with scheduled thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening, contributed to significantly reduced capacity.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) soon implemented measures to slow incoming flights due to both the sinkhole and weather conditions.

“The Port Authority is in close communication with airlines and airport partners and will continue providing updates as conditions evolve. Travelers should expect delays and cancellations, particularly with forecast thunderstorms expected later today, and are strongly encouraged to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight status information,” a Port Authority spokesman said in a statement.

LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York:

"At approximately 11 a.m., the Port Authority was conducting its daily morning inspection of LaGuardia’s airfield when crews identified a sinkhole near Runway 4/22. The runway was immediately shut down, and emergency construction and… pic.twitter.com/SbtOWUENMQ

— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) May 20, 2026

According to flight tracking data from FlightAware reported across multiple sources, approximately 197 flights into and out of LaGuardia were cancelled, representing around 17 percent of operations, with another 168 to 190 flights delayed. Arrival delays for airborne aircraft averaged around 35 minutes initially and increased, while some reports indicated average departure delays reaching 98 minutes at times.

Delta Air Lines, the largest carrier at LaGuardia with about 40% of flights, was among those affected.

The cause of the sinkhole remains under investigation. Officials have not released details on its size or depth, though images and video from news helicopters showed crews and heavy machinery at the site filling and repairing the area.

Engineers are evaluating whether the issue is isolated or indicative of broader subsurface conditions, according to the Port Authority. LaGuardia was constructed on former marshland, a factor sometimes associated with ground instability in the region, though no specific link has been confirmed in this incident.

Travelers have been advised to monitor airline communications for real-time updates on rebooking or alternative arrangements. The situation is ongoing, with potential for residual effects depending on the duration of the runway closure and weather developments.

LaGuardia handles a high volume of flights daily, serving as a key hub for domestic travel in the Northeast. Extended disruptions at the airport often have ripple effects on connecting flights nationwide.

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