Crash at LaGuardia Airport Cancels Over 500 Flights

Here's what travelers need to know about the disruptions at the busy New York hub.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:03pm

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A collision between an Air Canada Express plane and a fire truck on the tarmac at New York's LaGuardia Airport late Sunday has led to the closure of the airport, with over 500 flights canceled as of Monday morning. The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded all flights at LaGuardia until at least 2 p.m. Eastern, with a high probability of an extension to allow for a thorough investigation.

Why it matters

LaGuardia is a busy regional airport that serves as a major transit hub for the New York metropolitan area. The closure of the airport due to the crash has disrupted travel plans for thousands of passengers, mostly affecting regional and domestic travelers.

The details

The collision between the Air Canada Express plane and the fire truck killed two pilots and injured dozens of people. The FAA has issued a ground stop, leading to the cancellation of over 500 flights so far. Airlines are automatically rebooking passengers and waiving change fees, and passengers are eligible for full refunds if their flights are canceled.

  • The incident occurred late Sunday night at LaGuardia Airport.
  • The FAA has grounded all flights at LaGuardia until at least 2 p.m. Eastern on Monday, with a high probability of an extension.
  • More than 500 flights have been canceled as of Monday morning.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The agency that operates LaGuardia Airport and other major transportation hubs in the New York metropolitan area.

Air Canada Express

A regional airline that operates flights to and from LaGuardia Airport.

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What’s next

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the collision, and the airport is expected to remain closed until at least 2 p.m. Eastern on Monday, with a high probability of an extension.

The takeaway

The crash at LaGuardia Airport has caused significant disruptions to regional and domestic travel, highlighting the importance of airport infrastructure and the need for robust emergency response plans to minimize the impact of such incidents on travelers.