A sinkhole discovered on a runway at New York's LaGuardia Airport is causing significant disruptions to flights during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. Engineering crews have been working around the clock to repair the damage, but delays and cancellations are expected to stretch into tomorrow and possibly even longer.
The timing could not be worse for American travelers. AAA estimates that 45 million people are expected to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend, and gas prices are averaging $4.55 per gallon, a $1.35 increase from the same period last year. The surge in fuel costs is directly linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and disruptions to global energy supplies.
Adding to travel headaches, wet and cool weather conditions are spreading across the eastern half of the United States. Temperatures have dropped nearly 30 degrees compared to earlier in the week, when the northeast experienced sunny skies and record heat in the 90s. Severe weather is possible in the southern plains, with heavy downpours forecast from the Gulf Coast to the Ohio Valley.
The sinkhole at LaGuardia highlights broader concerns about aging infrastructure at American airports. New York's airports have faced ongoing criticism for maintenance and capacity issues, and the discovery of a runway sinkhole during peak travel season underscores the urgency of infrastructure investment.
For the rest of the Memorial Day weekend, the northeast is expected to see a washout on Saturday, with rounds of rain continuing into Sunday. Flood watches remain in effect across Texas throughout the weekend. Travelers are being advised to check flight statuses before heading to airports and to allow extra time for road journeys given the combination of weather, high gas prices, and increased traffic volume.