Posted on: May 20, 2026 05:23 PM

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Local Queens airport delays due to a sink hole

The Port Authority Police closed off Runaway 4/22 at the local LaGuardia Airport reporting a sink hole. The incident was reported this morning around 11am during the daily inspection by airport officials.

Arrivals and departures are delayed by 30 minutes on average for flights.

The estimated restoration time is not disclosed.

Also, the FAA says flights are halted and delayed due to the thunderstorm coming soon this evening.

The cause of the sinkhole is under investigation.

pic from investigative team at the port authority

This is from AI summary -

LaGuardia Airport is built on landfill. Construction began in 1937 on a site that was largely man-made, filled with approximately 17 million cubic yards of cinders, ashes, and trash. This landfill material was primarily transported from Rikers Island, which was then a garbage dump, and was laid onto a metal reinforcing framework to support the runways and terminals.

Structural Issues: The metal framework beneath the airport still causes magnetic interference with aircraft compasses, requiring warnings for pilots. Additionally, the landfill is prone to subsidence; runways began sinking as early as 1942, and recent studies indicate the airport is sinking faster than surrounding bedrock due to its unstable foundation.

Current Status: Despite a recent $8 billion redevelopment completed in the early 2020s, the airport remains vulnerable to flooding and sinking risks associated with its construction on reclaimed land."