LaGuardia Airport (LGA) was shut down on March 23, 2026, after an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 regional jet collided with a firefighting vehicle on a rain-soaked runway, triggering an emergency FAA ground stop and halting all arrivals and departures. The aircraft was carrying 76 passengers and crew when it struck the ground vehicle during landing approach — multiple fatalities were reported among airport personnel, according to The Daily Beast. The closure marks one of the most disruptive single-incident shutdowns at LGA in years, cascading delays across the Northeast air corridor.

What Happened at LaGuardia Airport Today

An Air Canada Express CRJ-900 jet collided with a firefighting vehicle while landing at LaGuardia Airport on the morning of March 23, 2026, causing the airport to immediately declare an emergency ground stop. The plane was carrying 76 people and struck a ground crew vehicle on the active runway, triggering a complete shutdown of all LGA operations while emergency responders reached the scene. Multiple fatalities were reported, with investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) deploying to the airport.

The collision occurred in wet conditions — New York City was experiencing rain at the time — which investigators are likely to flag as a contributing environmental factor. The CRJ-900 is operated by Jazz Aviation under the Air Canada Express brand, serving regional routes across the eastern seaboard. Once the ground stop was declared, inbound aircraft were diverted to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, while departures were held at the gate.

Ground stops at LaGuardia typically resolve within 90 minutes to several hours when caused by an operational emergency, though full resumption of the schedule depends on FAA clearance and the physical clearing of the affected runway. As of publication, the airport remained closed pending NTSB investigation of the crash site.

The FAA’s Air Traffic Organization issues ground stops — formally known as ground delay programs (GDPs) — whenever an airport’s capacity to safely accept arriving aircraft falls below demand. A collision on an active runway automatically triggers this protocol: all runways are closed until the obstruction is cleared and a safety sweep confirms no debris remains.

Government Shutdown and LaGuardia Airport

During federal government shutdowns, LaGuardia Airport does not close entirely — but its operations degrade significantly due to staffing shortfalls at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the FAA. TSA officers are considered essential workers and are legally required to report to duty even without pay during a lapse in appropriations, but real-world absenteeism spikes substantially when workers cannot afford to commute or cover childcare costs.

The most instructive precedent: during the 35-day government shutdown of December 2018 – January 2019 — the longest in U.S. history — the FAA reported a significant increase in unscheduled absences among air traffic controllers at New York-area facilities, including those covering LGA’s airspace. According to the FAA, controller staffing at New York TRACON (the facility handling LGA approach and departure sequencing) dropped to levels that required the agency to implement ground delays to maintain safe separation standards.

On January 25, 2019, LaGuardia Airport effectively ground-halted for roughly 90 minutes after the FAA implemented a ground stop citing controller staffing shortages — a direct consequence of the government shutdown. The disruption triggered a wave of political pressure that contributed to ending the shutdown the following day, according to reporting from The Washington Post.

TSA Shutdown Impact at LGA

TSA screening lanes at LGA are among the busiest per-square-foot of any U.S. airport due to the terminal’s compact footprint. When a significant portion of the TSA workforce calls out sick during a government shutdown, wait times at checkpoints can balloon from a normal 20-30 minutes to more than two hours, forcing airlines to close check-in windows and triggering missed-connection cascades.

According to TSA data published by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), unscheduled leave rates among TSA officers nationally exceeded 10% during the 2018-2019 shutdown — a rate roughly three to four times higher than typical sick-day averages. At high-traffic airports such as LaGuardia, that translates directly into delayed departures and passenger congestion.

Passengers traveling through LGA during any government shutdown period are advised to arrive at least three hours before departure — one hour more than the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s standard recommendation — and to monitor TSA’s real-time wait-time tool before leaving for the airport.

Weather-Related Closures and Runway Disruptions

Weather causes more LaGuardia closures and ground stops than any other single factor. The airport sits on the northern shore of Flushing Bay in Queens — a location that exposes runways 4/22 and 13/31 to crosswinds, low visibility fog off the East River, and snow accumulation that requires active de-icing before each departure cycle.

The National Weather Service classifies New York City as a “moderate snow belt” region, receiving an average of 25.1 inches of annual snowfall (per NOAA’s 1991-2020 Climate Normal data for Central Park). LaGuardia’s shorter runway configuration — runway 13/31 is only 7,000 feet, compared to JFK’s 14,572-foot runway 13L/31R — means the airport tolerates less accumulated snow before operations must pause for plowing and friction testing.

Ground stops due to weather typically follow one of three patterns at LGA:

1. Visibility below minimums: When ceiling drops below 200 feet or visibility below half a mile, the airport transitions to ILS Category II or III approaches. If aircraft are not equipped, the FAA halts arrivals and implements a GDP.
2. Snow and ice accumulation: Runway plowing takes approximately 45-60 minutes per pass. During heavy snowfall events, the FAA may declare a ground stop while all active surfaces are cleared, typically lasting 1-3 hours depending on snowfall intensity.
3. Wind shear and microburst alerts: Low-level wind shear advisories issued by Terminal Doppler Weather Radar can halt operations for 15-45 minutes until conditions improve.

The February 2023 nor’easter that struck the Northeast grounded LaGuardia completely for approximately 18 hours — one of the longer weather-related closures in recent memory. Airlines canceled over 300 departures and arrivals over the event window. Passengers who had booked non-refundable tickets were entitled to fee-free rebooking under the DOT’s “controllable tarmac delay” and weather delay policies, though the weather carve-out technically exempts airlines from providing compensation in those cases.

Runway Closure Procedures at LaGuardia

LaGuardia operates two crossing runways: 4/22 (7,003 feet) and 13/31 (7,000 feet). A runway closure — whether due to an incident, a foreign-object debris (FOD) sweep, or resurfacing maintenance — immediately reduces the airport’s acceptance rate from approximately 48 aircraft per hour to 24-28, creating an immediate backup that the FAA manages via a GDP (ground delay program) rather than a complete ground stop.

The FAA publishes all current runway closures as NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) accessible at notams.faa.gov. Travelers checking whether a runway closure is affecting their flight can also view current departure and arrival delays directly on FAA’s LGA status page.

How to Check LaGuardia Airport Status in Real Time

The fastest way to confirm whether LaGuardia is closed right now is to check the FAA’s official Airport Status Information system at fly.faa.gov — it updates every few minutes and distinguishes between ground stops (all departures halted), ground delay programs (departures held with average delays listed), and airspace flow programs (arrival metering). This is the primary source airlines use internally and is more reliable than airport Twitter accounts or third-party flight-tracking apps for near-real-time closure information.

For flight-specific status — whether your particular departure or arrival is delayed or canceled — use the following hierarchy of sources:

1. Your airline’s app or website: Delta, American, United, and Southwest all push real-time gate notifications. This is the authoritative source for your specific booking.
2. FlightAware (flightaware.com): Shows actual wheels-up and wheels-down times, current position, and estimated arrival, updated from FAA radar feeds. Covers both commercial and general aviation.
3. FlightRadar24 (flightradar24.com): Real-time aircraft position tracking; useful for seeing whether planes are actually airborne or holding at the gate.
4. FAA’s official LGA status page (fly.faa.gov/fly/flyfaa/flyfaaindex?ARPT=LGA): Official airport-wide closure and delay status.

For Delta Air Lines passengers specifically — Delta operates more than 50% of all flights at LaGuardia, making it the dominant carrier — the Delta Fly app provides the most granular status updates, including rebooking options that activate automatically during closures. Delta’s LGA hub control center coordinates directly with the FAA tower during ground stops to manage gate assignment changes.

LaGuardia Operating Hours and Overnight Curfews

LaGuardia Airport does not close at night in the sense of locking its doors, but it operates under a voluntary flight curfew between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM under the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s noise abatement regulations. Scheduled commercial flights are not permitted to land or depart during this window without a waiver. The airport terminals remain physically open 24 hours for passengers connecting through or sleeping in the terminal.

The midnight curfew is the source of one of the most common passenger misconceptions: travelers sometimes assume LGA closes at midnight because the last scheduled departure is often around 11:30 PM, and the first morning departure begins around 5:30-6:00 AM. But the terminal facilities — ticketing counters, baggage claim, restrooms — are accessible around the clock.

For passengers stranded by cancellations who miss the last connecting bus or subway, the Port Authority operates the AirTrain to Jamaica (connecting to the A train and LIRR) until midnight, after which Uber, Lyft, and yellow cabs remain available at the Terminal B curbside pickup areas. The NYCT M60 SBS bus runs 24 hours between LaGuardia and Manhattan (125th Street/Lexington Avenue).

What to Do When LaGuardia Is Shut Down

When LaGuardia shuts down — whether due to a runway collision, government shutdown, or severe weather — your immediate priority is rebooking before the wave of displaced passengers overwhelms the airline’s call centers. Airlines typically open fee-free rebooking within 30 minutes of declaring a significant closure; waiting even an hour can mean a two-day delay if inbound aircraft are diverted and the airline runs out of available seats on alternative flights.

Practical steps when LGA is closed:

1. Check your airline app immediately for any waiver codes that enable self-service rebooking. During major shutdowns, airlines typically push these waivers before their phone queues become overwhelmed.
2. Consider JFK and EWR alternatives. Both airports handle re-routed LGA traffic and often have available seats on later departures the same day. The AirTrain to JFK runs from Jamaica Station; NJ Transit provides rail service to Newark Liberty.
3. Know your DOT rights. If your flight is canceled — regardless of cause — you are entitled to a full cash refund to your original payment method under the Department of Transportation’s April 2024 refund rule. “Travel credit” vouchers are not a substitute; insist on a refund if you do not wish to rebook.
4. Document everything. Screenshot your flight status, save any delay/cancellation notification emails, and keep receipts for any meals or overnight accommodation you purchase due to a cancellation caused by a controllable airline reason (mechanical failures, crew issues). Weather delays do not trigger meal or hotel voucher obligations, but airline-caused delays do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LaGuardia Airport closed right now?

As of March 23, 2026, LaGuardia Airport is closed due to the Air Canada Express runway collision. Real-time status is always available at the FAA’s official LGA status page; this is the most accurate and up-to-date source for any LaGuardia shutdown today.

Why is LaGuardia Airport shut down today?

LaGuardia Airport shut down on March 23, 2026, because an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 jet collided with a firefighting vehicle while landing on a wet runway. The FAA immediately issued an emergency ground stop, halting all LGA departures and arrivals while emergency responders reached the scene and NTSB investigators were dispatched.

Is LaGuardia Airport affected by the government shutdown?

Yes — when the federal government shuts down, LaGuardia faces significant delays due to TSA absenteeism and reduced FAA air traffic controller staffing. The airport does not fully close, but ground stops and multi-hour checkpoint wait times are common during prolonged spending lapses. The 2018-2019 shutdown produced a 90-minute FAA-ordered ground stop at LGA.

Does LaGuardia Airport close at midnight?

LaGuardia Airport does not close at midnight. The terminal remains open 24 hours, but a voluntary noise-abatement curfew prohibits scheduled commercial flights between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Travelers may remain in the terminal overnight; ground transportation options including the M60 bus remain available through the overnight hours.

Are there any flight delays at LaGuardia Airport right now?

Current flight delay information for LaGuardia is available in real time on the FAA’s fly.faa.gov portal and on FlightAware.com. During the March 23 shutdown, all arrivals were being diverted to JFK and Newark, and all departures were on indefinite ground stop. Check your airline app for flight-specific status.

How does a LaGuardia shutdown affect departures and arrivals?

A full LGA ground stop suspends all departures immediately and diverts in-bound flights to nearby airports — typically JFK and Newark. Passengers already at the gate may sit for hours. Airlines issue rebooking waivers during major closures, and flights are rescheduled as soon as the FAA lifts the ground stop, though cascading delays typically persist 4-12 hours after the airport reopens.

When does LaGuardia close due to weather?

LaGuardia closes or implements ground delays due to weather when visibility drops below approach minimums, when snow accumulation requires runway plowing (pauses of 45-90 minutes are typical), or when wind shear advisories are active. Heavy snowstorms can close LGA for up to 18-24 hours. Real-time weather delay data appears on fly.faa.gov under “LGA delay type: Weather.”

What happens to TSA at LaGuardia during a government shutdown?

TSA officers at LaGuardia are classified as essential personnel and must report to work without pay during a government shutdown. In practice, unscheduled leave rates spike — data from the 2018-2019 shutdown showed national TSA absenteeism exceeding 10%, roughly triple the normal rate. At LGA’s compact Terminal B, this translates to checkpoint queues of 90 minutes or more, causing widespread missed flights.

Was LaGuardia Airport closed yesterday?

For historical closure data, FAA aviation system performance summaries are published at aspm.faa.gov, where you can search LGA-specific delay and ground stop records by date. If you missed a flight due to a closure on a specific date, your airline can also provide official documentation confirming the FAA-declared ground stop for insurance or reimbursement purposes.

How do I check LaGuardia shutdown status for Delta flights?

Delta operates the majority of LaGuardia flights and provides the most granular LGA-specific status through its Fly Delta app. During any LGA ground stop, Delta automatically opens rebooking waivers within the app. You can also call Delta at 1-800-221-1212 or visit delta.com/my-trips to rebook at no fee when LGA is shut down due to an FAA ground stop or declared emergency.

What time does LaGuardia Airport close?

LaGuardia Airport’s terminals do not close at a fixed time — they are accessible 24 hours. Scheduled commercial flights operate roughly 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM under the Port Authority’s voluntary curfew. The last departures typically push off around 11:00-11:30 PM, with the first morning banks beginning at 5:30-6:00 AM.

Is LaGuardia Airport shut down tomorrow?

Scheduled closures or planned maintenance windows at LaGuardia are published as NOTAMs at notams.faa.gov at least 24 hours in advance. Unplanned closures — weather events, security incidents, or mechanical emergencies like the March 23 collision — are announced in real time on fly.faa.gov and through individual airline apps. For closures related to an ongoing incident, the FAA issues updates hourly until the ground stop is lifted.

LaGuardia’s unplanned shutdown on March 23, 2026, underscores the airport’s vulnerability to runway-level emergencies. With the NTSB investigation now underway and FAA safety recommendations expected to follow, the Air Canada Express collision will likely prompt a review of ground vehicle protocols during active landing operations — particularly in wet-weather conditions. For travelers planning to fly through LGA in the coming days, monitoring the FAA’s status page and your airline app remains the fastest path to real-time information.