In brief
A runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport has reopened after a catastrophic collision involving an Air Canada regional jet and a fire truck that resulted in the death of two pilots and injuries to several others. The Port Authority confirmed that the runway resumed operations after safety checks were completed. Over 300 flights were cancelled in the previous 24 hours, and ongoing investigations into the incident by the National Transportation Safety Board are underway.
NEW YORK (AP) — The runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, where a plane collided with a fire truck, has reopened after necessary repairs and inspections were completed. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of two pilots and several injuries to others on the scene.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that the runway resumed operations around 10 a.m. after being confirmed to meet Federal Aviation Administration regulations for safety. This reopening is essential for restoring full operational capacity at one of the nation's busiest airports.
Despite the reopening, LaGuardia has experienced high levels of flight delays and cancellations, with over 300 cancellations reported in the last day alone, according to flight tracking websites.
The fire truck involved in the collision has been secured at an undisclosed location as investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board continue. Meanwhile, the airline involved, Air Canada, plans to place the damaged aircraft in a hanger and work on reuniting passengers with their belongings.
Michael Rousseau, the CEO of Air Canada, publicly apologized for a previous lack of communication in French to those affected by the incident, further expressing regret following calls for his resignation due to his English-only statement of condolences.
The crash occurred late Sunday night when the Air Canada jet, arriving from Montreal with 76 people onboard, collided with a fire truck that was said to have been cleared to cross the runway for another emergency. In total, around 40 individuals, including firefighters and a flight attendant who was injured during the event, were treated at local hospitals.
