LaGuardia Airport in New York reopened Monday afternoon after a deadly collision on the runway closed the busy airport for several hours and disrupted hundreds of flights. The crash occurred late Sunday night, killing both pilots on board the plane and injuring dozens of passengers and crew members.The collision involved an Air Canada Express regional jet coming from Montreal and a Port Authority fire truck that was crossing the runway to respond to a separate incident. There were 72 passengers and four crew members on board the plane at that time.Officials say the crash happened around 11:40 p.m. on March 22 as the plane was landing on the runway at LaGuardia. The jet hit 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 the injured have been released from care, although some remain in hospital for further treatment.In response to the accident, the airport was completely closed until approximately 2.00 am on March 23 to allow investigators and emergency crews to work the scene and assess the runway before reopening. The shutdown caused more than 600 flight cancellations and delays for travelers in New York and the surrounding area.
Have flight operations resumed?
Now with the runway opening, limited flight operations have resumed. Travelers are being warned to expect continued delays and disruption as airlines work to manage the backlog and hours of closures caused by the crash. Some flights have been diverted to other nearby airports, and passengers are advised to check with their carriers for the latest information regarding schedules and possible changes.Federal and national security officials are continuing a thorough investigation into the cause of the collision. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading the investigation, 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 also said that even after one runway reopened, LaGuardia’s capacity would be reduced until a full investigation was completed. This could mean further adjustments to flight schedules and continued delays for passengers in the coming days.The accident 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 whether any changes are needed to prevent future incidents.