Ground Stop Chaos: Air Canada Jet Slams Into Vehicle at LaGuardia, Shutting Down New York Airport
NEW YORK – Travelers at one of the nation’s busiest airports faced turmoil late Sunday night after an Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a vehicle on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport, triggering an immediate ground stop and sending emergency crews scrambling. The CRJ-900 aircraft, operated by Jazz Aviation—Air Canada’s regional partner—had just arrived from Montreal when it struck a vehicle at approximately 24 miles per hour, according to flight tracking data from Flightradar24. The impact forced the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to issue an emergency ground stop for all incoming and departing flights, effectively shutting down airport operations. While specific details regarding injuries or the type of vehicle involved have not yet been released, the incident prompted a swift emergency response and left passengers stranded as authorities secured the scene.
The aftermath of the collision sent shockwaves through LaGuardia’s operations, with the airport’s website showing arriving flights being diverted to other airports or returning to their points of origin. Travelers already on the ground faced significant delays as officials worked to assess the situation and clear the runway. The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, and Air Canada has not yet issued a statement regarding the status of passengers or crew aboard the regional jet. As rush hour approaches on Monday morning, the ripple effects of the closure are expected to cascade across the Northeast travel corridor, leaving thousands of passengers scrambling to rebook flights. LaGuardia officials have yet to announce when normal operations will resume, urging travelers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.
