NEW YORK — Operations have resumed on the LaGuardia Airport runway where a deadly collision between an Air Canada aircraft and an emergency vehicle occurred, with the tarmac reopening Thursday morning.
Officials with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced the runway returned to service around 10 a.m. following comprehensive repairs and safety inspections. The facility and related infrastructure were thoroughly examined and verified to comply with Federal Aviation Administration safety standards before operations resumed.
Airport authorities noted that bringing the second runway back online at LaGuardia, among America’s busiest aviation hubs, will help return the facility to complete operational status. However, passengers are still being advised to verify their flight information directly with airlines.
Despite the runway reopening, LaGuardia continues experiencing the highest rate of flight disruptions nationwide, with over 300 cancellations recorded in the past day, data from flight monitoring service Flight Aware shows.
Both the damaged Air Canada aircraft and the emergency truck involved in the collision were removed from the accident scene Wednesday evening while federal investigators continue their probe into the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed Thursday that the fire truck has been secured at a confidential location for investigation purposes. When asked about the aircraft’s status, the agency directed inquiries to Air Canada, which has not yet provided a response to requests for information.
The carrier previously indicated the plane would be housed in a hangar facility and announced plans to begin returning passengers’ luggage and personal items to them shortly.
Air Canada’s chief executive Michael Rousseau issued an apology Thursday regarding his failure to communicate in French following criticism and resignation demands over his English-only condolence statement.
The tragic accident occurred Sunday evening when the Air Canada regional aircraft, arriving from Montreal with 76 individuals aboard, struck an airport fire truck that had received authorization to cross the runway while responding to an unrelated emergency on a different aircraft.
Medical facilities treated approximately 40 individuals for crash-related injuries, including two firefighters and a flight attendant who survived being ejected onto the runway while secured in her seat. The majority of those injured have been discharged from hospital care.
