A sinkhole discovered during a routine inspection on Wednesday has forced the closure of a runway at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA), leading to flight delays and cancellations, local officials said. The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey stated that it was conducting a daily inspection of the airfield earlier Wednesday when "crews identified a sinkhole near Runway 4/22."
"The runway was immediately shut down, and emergency construction and engineering crews are onsite to determine the cause and complete necessary repairs as quickly and safely as possible," the Port Authority said in a statement. The agency warned that travelers should expect delays and cancellations.
Adding to the travel disruptions, thunderstorms were also expected to roll in on Wednesday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that weather conditions were already causing delays at all three major airports serving the New York City and New Jersey areas, as well as in the Washington, D.C. region.
This closure exacerbates existing travel challenges, particularly with the Memorial Day travel period approaching. The incident adds to congestion at one of the nation's busiest airports, creating headaches for travelers.
Southwest Airlines indicated that approximately 20 of its arrivals on Wednesday would be affected, with a spokesman acknowledging that weather is also a contributing factor to the delays. Other major airlines had not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the impact on their operations.
