LaGuardia Runway Closed Again for Pavement Repairs

LaGuardia Runway Shut Down Due to Pavement Issue

LaGuardia Airport has once again temporarily suspended operations on one of its primary runways following the discovery of a pavement anomaly. Inspectors identified a depression, measuring approximately two inches deep, adjacent to Runway 4/22 on Wednesday. This marks the second time in recent weeks that pavement concerns have necessitated the closure of this vital airstrip at the New York City airport.

Airport officials characterized the closure as a precautionary measure, taken out of an “abundance of caution.” They emphasized that the identified depression does not currently present an immediate safety risk. The issue was detected during a routine airfield inspection.

Flight Disruptions and Repair Schedule

The closure has led to flight delays, with arrival times at LaGuardia averaging around 48 minutes, though these delays are reportedly decreasing. Data from flight-tracking services indicated a higher number of delays earlier in the day.

Runway 4/22 is slated to reopen on Thursday morning. Repair crews are scheduled to work overnight to conduct further assessments, determine the root cause of the pavement issue, and implement any required stabilization work. The airport stated its objective is to complete the necessary evaluations and repairs overnight to ensure the runway can be safely reopened as quickly as possible.

During the closure, all flight operations will be redirected to LaGuardia’s other main runway, 13/31, starting at 5 p.m. Passengers are advised to confirm the status of their flights directly with their respective airlines.

Recurring Pavement Problems

This incident is the second in less than a month where the same section of pavement has required urgent engineering attention. The runway was previously closed following the formation of a sinkhole during the busy Memorial Day travel period.