Officials expect LaGuardia Airport to remain closed until about 2 pm on Monday, March 23, after an Air Canada jet arriving from Montreal struck a fire truck in what authorities are calling a deadly collision.
Late on Sunday night an Air Canada commercial airliner that had flown in from Montreal touched down at LaGuardia and struck a fire truck on the runway. The incident has been described as deadly, and it prompted immediate suspension of operations at one of the region’s busiest airports. Officials moved quickly to close the field and begin emergency work.
The closure is expected to last into the afternoon of Monday, March 23, disrupting incoming and outgoing flights across the New York area. Passengers have faced cancellations, delays, and extended waits while airlines and airport staff rebook and reroute traffic. Ground crews and traffic control teams are coordinating to limit further knock-on effects on schedules.
First responders were on the scene within minutes after the collision, securing the aircraft and the area around the fire truck. Medical personnel and other emergency teams treated people and stabilized the situation as investigators arrived. The response focused on safety, clearing the runway, and preserving evidence for the official inquiry.
Investigators are expected to examine flight path, communications, and ground vehicle movements to determine how the collision occurred. Officials will also look at air traffic control logs and any recorded cockpit or tower recordings involved in the landing sequence. The goal is to reconstruct the moments before and after touchdown to identify procedural or mechanical issues.
LaGuardia’s temporary shutdown leaves airlines scrambling to adjust schedules and find alternate gateways for affected travelers. Many passengers are being offered rebookings or refunds while crews push to clear the scene and reopen runways. Airport operations teams are prioritizing safety while working against the clock to restore normal service.
The accident raises questions about coordination between airfield vehicles and landing aircraft during busy overnight operations. Airports routinely balance maintenance, emergency readiness, and heavy traffic, and incidents like this highlight the risks present when those elements intersect. A thorough investigation will be needed to determine whether changes in protocol, training, or procedures are warranted.
Local authorities have emphasized that the situation remains fluid and urged travelers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport. Expect additional announcements as officials complete their on-scene work and release more details. Media briefings are likely to follow once investigators have a clearer picture of what happened.
For now, the priority is reopening the runway safely and ensuring that any lessons learned are captured for future operations. Families of those affected will be monitored and assisted, and airport leadership will coordinate with airlines on next steps. Updates will come as investigators finalize their findings and authorities release official statements.
