LaGuardia Airport temporarily closed Runway 4/22 on June 17, 2026, after routine inspections revealed a two-inch depression near the surface. The Port Authority, which operates the airport, grounded operations on that runway starting at 5 p.m. to conduct safety assessments and repairs. While the airport remained open using its second runway, Runway 13/31, the disruption caused significant delays, with outbound flights delayed by up to an hour according to the FAA.

This incident echoes a similar, more severe event just weeks earlier, when a large sinkhole on the same runway forced a multi-day closure during the busy Memorial Day travel period. That earlier failure led to hundreds of flight cancellations and delays, drawing attention to the airport’s aging infrastructure. LaGuardia, originally built on landfill in Flushing Bay nearly a century ago, has long faced challenges related to ground stability.

Officials emphasized that the current depression was caught early through routine checks, and they aimed to complete repairs overnight to restore service by Thursday morning. Travelers were advised to check with their airlines for updates. Some passengers welcomed the precaution, while others expressed concern over recurring safety issues.