In brief
The runway at New York's LaGuardia Airport reopened on Thursday morning after extensive repairs and inspections following a catastrophic collision involving an Air Canada plane and a fire truck. The crash resulted in the deaths of two pilots and left several others injured. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, while the Port Authority has urged passengers to check their flight statuses amidst ongoing cancellations.
NEW YORK (AP) — The runway where a plane collided with a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, killing the two pilots and injuring several others, reopened Thursday morning.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that the runway resumed operations at around 10 a.m. after repairs and inspections, ensuring compliance with Federal Aviation Administration safety regulations.
The agency highlighted that with the reopening of the second runway at LaGuardia, one of the busiest airports in the U.S., full operational capacity would be gradually restored. However, travelers are still advised to check their airlines for updates on flight statuses.
LaGuardia Airport registered more than 300 flight cancellations in the last 24 hours alone, leading the nation in delays and interruptions, as noted by FlightAware.
Following the incident, the wreckage of the Air Canada plane and the fire truck was towed from the crash site late Wednesday, with investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board still ongoing.
On Thursday, it was confirmed that the fire truck had been relocated to a secure location, while inquiries regarding the status of the plane were directed to Air Canada, which has yet to provide a response.
The airline announced plans to place the damaged aircraft in a hangar and to coordinate the return of passengers' belongings shortly thereafter.
Michael Rousseau, Air Canada’s CEO, publicly apologized Thursday for his inability to communicate effectively in French in a message of condolence that faced scrutiny, especially after criticism was leveled concerning his English-only message amidst demands for his resignation.
The collision occurred late Sunday when an Air Canada regional jet arriving from Montreal, carrying 76 individuals, struck an airport fire truck that had received clearance to cross the runway to respond to a different incident on another plane.
Forty individuals were treated for injuries at local hospitals, which included the two firefighters and a flight attendant who was ejected onto the tarmac while still strapped in her seat. Most patients have since been discharged from the hospital.
