LaGuardia Airport in New York reopened on Monday afternoon after a deadly runway collision shut the busy airport for several hours and disrupted hundreds of flights. The crash occurred late Sunday night, killing both pilots on board and injuring dozens of passengers and crew.
The collision involved an Air Canada Express regional jet arriving from Montreal and a Port Authority fire truck that was crossing the runway to respond to a separate incident. The aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members at the time.
Officials say the crash happened around 11.40pm on March 22 when the aircraft was landing on a runway at LaGuardia. The jet struck the emergency vehicle, killing both the pilot and co‑pilot.
More than 40 people, including two firefighters, were taken to hospital with injuries. Most of those injured have since been released from care, although some remained in hospital for further treatment.
In response to the accident, the airport was completely closed until around 2.00pm on March 23 to allow investigators and emergency crews to work at the scene and assess the runway before reopening. The closure led to the cancellation of more than 600 flights and delays for travellers across New York and the surrounding region.
Have the flight operations resumed?
With the runway now open, limited flight operations have resumed. Passengers are being warned to expect ongoing delays and disruptions as airlines work to manage the backlog caused by the crash and the hours of closure. Some flights have been diverted to other nearby airports, and travellers are advised to check with their carriers for the latest information about schedules and possible changes.
Federal and national safety authorities are continuing a detailed investigation into the cause of the collision. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading the probe, which will examine factors such as communication between air traffic control and emergency vehicles, runway procedures, and aircraft operations at the time of the accident.
Officials have also said that even with one runway reopened, LaGuardia’s capacity will be reduced until the full investigation is completed. This could mean further adjustments to flight schedules and continued delays for passengers in the coming days.
The crash has drawn attention to safety protocols for runway crossings and coordination between ground vehicles and incoming flights. Investigators will evaluate whether standard procedures were followed and if any changes are needed to prevent future incidents.
