US: New York’s LaGuardia Airport Shuts Down After Air Canada Plane Hits Ground Vehicle

Operations at New York’s LaGuardia Airport were abruptly suspended early Monday after a late-night runway collision between a passenger aircraft and an emergency vehicle raised safety concerns at one of the busiest aviation hubs in the United States.

The incident occurred just before midnight on Sunday, prompting authorities to halt all arrivals and departures and warn travelers of significant delays.

Late-night runway collision triggers shutdown

Emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 11:38 p.m. local time following reports that an aircraft had struck a vehicle on the runway. The New York City Fire Department responded quickly, though initial details about damage and potential injuries remained limited.

Shortly afterward, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that the collision involved a regional aircraft and one of its rescue vehicles. According to the agency, the vehicle had been responding to a separate incident when it was struck on Runway 4.

“At approximately 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, a Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada was involved in an incident on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport, in which the aircraft struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle responding to another event,” the agency said.

Aircraft and passenger details emerge

The aircraft was operated by Jazz Aviation under the Air Canada Express brand. The airline confirmed that a preliminary passenger manifest listed 72 passengers and four crew members on board at the time of the collision.

Flight tracking data from FlightAware showed the aircraft had departed from Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport earlier that evening. The route is a key short-haul connection between Montreal and New York City, widely used by both business and leisure travelers.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether there were any injuries among passengers, crew, or emergency personnel. An investigation is underway to determine how the aircraft and vehicle came into contact on an active runway.

Travel disruption and safety alerts

Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a full ground stop at LaGuardia, preventing all takeoffs and landings.

An official notice cited an “emergency” as the reason for the shutdown and warned that the closure could be extended. In a separate advisory, the FAA indicated that operations might remain suspended until at least 2:00 p.m. local time.

The disruption is expected to ripple across the broader U.S. aviation network, given LaGuardia’s critical role in short-haul domestic travel.

New York City’s emergency management agency urged the public to avoid the area around the airport in Queens, warning of road closures, heavy congestion, and ongoing emergency response activity.

“Expect cancellations, road closures, traffic delays, and emergency personnel,” officials said, advising commuters to use alternate routes.

Investigation underway amid ongoing disruption

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the collision, including whether communication failures or visibility issues played a role.

Runway incidents involving both aircraft and ground vehicles are rare but treated with the highest level of seriousness due to their potential consequences.

The temporary shutdown of LaGuardia is expected to affect thousands of passengers, with delays likely to persist even after operations resume. Airlines are working to rebook travelers and manage the backlog caused by the sudden closure.

FAQ

1. What happened at LaGuardia Airport?

An Air Canada Express regional aircraft collided with a Port Authority rescue vehicle on the runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, prompting a temporary shutdown of airport operations.

2. When did the incident happen?

The collision occurred late Sunday night, just before midnight, at approximately 11:38–11:40 p.m. local time.

3. Which flight was involved?

The aircraft involved was operating under the Air Canada Express brand and was flown by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada.

4. Where was the plane coming from?

The aircraft was traveling from Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to New York City.

5. How many people were on board?

According to preliminary information, there were 72 passengers and 4 crew members on board.

6. What did the plane hit?

The aircraft struck a Port Authority rescue and firefighting vehicle that was reportedly responding to a separate incident.

7. Why was the airport shut down?

LaGuardia temporarily halted arrivals and departures because of the runway emergency, ongoing safety checks, and the need for emergency crews to respond.

8. Were there any injuries?

At the time of reporting, authorities had not confirmed whether there were injuries. The investigation was still ongoing.

9. Who is investigating the incident?

The investigation involves aviation and airport authorities, including the FAA and the Port Authority, which are working to determine how the aircraft and ground vehicle came into contact.

10. What impact did the incident have on travelers?

The collision caused major delays, possible cancellations, road congestion around the airport, and wider disruption across connected flight schedules.

11. Why are runway collisions considered serious?

Incidents involving aircraft and ground vehicles on active runways are rare but highly serious because they can lead to severe damage, injuries, and major operational disruption.

12. What should affected passengers do?

Travelers should check their flight status with the airline or airport, monitor alerts for delays or cancellations, and be prepared for rebooking or schedule changes.