A sinkhole discovered near a primary runway at LaGuardia Airport has forced the closure of one of the airport’s two runways, triggering widespread flight delays and cancellations at one of the busiest aviation hubs in the United States. According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, airport staff identified the sinkhole during a routine morning inspection around 11:00 am on Wednesday.

The affected runway, identified as Runway 4/22, was immediately taken out of service as a precaution while emergency engineering and construction teams were deployed to assess structural damage and begin repair work. Officials said the Port Authority is working closely with airlines and airport partners to manage the disruption and provide real-time updates as conditions evolve.

The agency also warned that passengers should expect continued delays and cancellations, particularly with forecast thunderstorms further complicating operations in the region. The closure has significantly reduced operational capacity at LaGuardia, which is now functioning on a single active runway. The Federal Aviation Administration responded by slowing arrivals into the airport to manage congestion and maintain safety standards, while airlines were forced to adjust schedules and reroute flights to accommodate reduced throughput.

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Early reports indicate that the disruption has had a substantial impact on air traffic. As of 5:00 pm Eastern Time, approximately 17 per cent of flights had been cancelled and 22 per cent delayed, underscoring the operational strain caused by the sudden infrastructure issue at a critical hub. Passengers experienced cascading disruptions throughout the day, with some reporting unusual flight paths and extended airborne holding patterns as air traffic was diverted.

Social media posts reflected growing frustration and concern, though many travellers also acknowledged that the incident was identified before causing any safety hazards. Authorities have not reported any injuries linked to the sinkhole, and repair efforts are ongoing to restore full runway operations.

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