LaGuardia runway closure after Air Canada crash cancels 30% of flights, delays JFK/EWR

One of LaGuardia Airport’s two runways remains closed on March 25, 2026, following the March 22 collision between Air Canada Flight 8646 and a fire truck that killed both pilots. The ongoing NTSB investigation has forced cancellation of approximately 30% of scheduled flights, affecting all carriers operating through LGA — primarily Air Canada, Delta, and United. Delays are rippling to JFK and Newark as diverted traffic compresses available slots.

The runway is expected to remain closed for 48–72 hours while investigators access cockpit wreckage and analyze air traffic control recordings. Travelers with existing LGA bookings face immediate rebooking requirements — inaction means stranding.

LaGuardia Airport entered its fourth day of disruption on March 25 as federal investigators continued examining the wreckage of Air Canada Flight 8646, which collided with an airport fire truck during landing on March 22. The crash killed both pilots and closed one of the airport’s two runways indefinitely.

With half its runway capacity offline, LaGuardia canceled roughly 30% of flights on March 25 — a rate that affects every carrier using the airport, not just Air Canada. Delta and United, which operate the majority of domestic services from LGA, are rebooking passengers to JFK and Newark, compressing available slots at those airports and triggering delays of 2–4 hours system-wide.

The NTSB’s preliminary findings, released March 24, show air traffic control cleared the fire truck to cross the active runway 25 seconds before impact. A stop command was issued 9 seconds prior to the collision, but the CRJ900 touched down 1 second later. Runway status lights — the automated warning system designed to prevent such incursions — were functioning at the time.

The fire truck was responding to a smoke event involving a United Airlines flight on the east side of the airport when the collision occurred. All passengers and crew aboard the Air Canada flight survived; the bodies of the two pilots were transferred via Air Canada flight from Newark on March 25.

Investigation timeline and airport capacity

The NTSB entered the second day of on-site investigation on March 25, accessing the cockpit wreckage to retrieve flight data and voice recorders. The agency has not provided a firm timeline for runway reopening, but historical precedent suggests 48–72 hours from the start of the investigation — meaning the runway could reopen as early as March 27.

In January 2017, a similar runway incursion at LaGuardia involved a Delta jet colliding with an American Airlines regional aircraft during snow operations. That incident closed runways for several hours and canceled more than 100 flights, but operations resumed the same day after FAA review. No fatalities occurred in that case.

LaGuardia’s single-runway dependency during this closure amplifies the disruption. The airport typically operates at near-maximum slot capacity, leaving no buffer for diversions or delays. With one runway offline, the airport can handle roughly 70% of normal traffic — hence the 30% cancellation rate.

Air traffic control error under scrutiny

The NTSB’s focus is on the 25-second window between the fire truck’s clearance to cross the runway and the collision. Air traffic control issued a stop command 9 seconds before impact, but the CRJ900 was already committed to landing — touchdown occurred 1 second after the command.

Runway status lights, which illuminate red when an incursion is detected, were functioning. The system is designed to alert pilots to stop or abort a landing when another vehicle or aircraft enters the runway. The NTSB has not yet determined whether the pilots saw the lights or had time to react.

The fire truck was responding to a smoke event on a United Airlines flight parked on the east side of the airport — a distraction that may have contributed to the ATC error. The NTSB will analyze controller workload, radio communications, and whether the smoke event created a split-attention scenario that compromised runway safety protocols.

What to do if you have an LGA booking

LaGuardia is operating at reduced capacity with no firm timeline for full restoration — travelers must act within 24 hours to avoid stranding.

• Check airline apps immediately: Air Canada, Delta, and United are auto-rebooking affected passengers to JFK or Newark. If no rebooking appears, call the airline directly — hold times are elevated but necessary.
• Request a refund if rebooking doesn’t work: US DOT rules require refunds for cancellations or significant schedule changes. Use airline websites to submit refund requests rather than waiting on hold.
• Monitor JFK and Newark for delays: Diverted LGA traffic is compressing slots at both airports. FlightAware and airline apps show real-time delay estimates — build buffer time into connections.
• Consider ground transport alternatives: If your destination is within 200 miles, Amtrak or bus services from Penn Station may be faster than waiting for a rebooked flight. Check amtrak.com for Northeast Corridor options.

Watch: NTSB preliminary report release, expected within 30 days. If it clears runway safety systems, full LGA operations resume rapidly. If not, expect prolonged single-runway caps and 20–30% capacity cuts.