Two United Airlines Aircraft Collide on Ground at LaGuardia Amid Widespread Flight Delays
New York: Two United Airlines planes made contact at LaGuardia Airport on Friday, though fortunately no passengers or crew were hurt, according to reports. A total of 328 travelers and 15 crew members were aboard the two aircraft at the time of the incident.
The collision occurred when a flight arriving from Orlando, Florida, was taxiing toward its gate and accidentally brushed the tail of another United jet preparing to depart for Houston. The Houston-bound plane was stationary when the incident took place. Both aircraft later returned to the gate, and all passengers disembarked safely.
Delays Amid Government Shutdown and Weather Challenges
The mishap happened amid widespread disruptions at airports across the United States. Severe weather and a shortage of air traffic controllers due to the ongoing federal government shutdown have created long delays. At LaGuardia, ground hold times averaged over two hours, with some flights waiting up to five hours. The National Weather Service also issued a wind advisory through midnight.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the shutdown continues into November and the holiday season, unpaid controllers may seek second jobs, potentially exacerbating flight disruptions nationwide.
A Month-Long Shutdown
As of Saturday, the federal government has been partially closed for 31 days. The shutdown stems from a budget impasse between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats are advocating for a short-term funding extension that includes healthcare tax credits benefiting roughly 24 million Americans, while Republicans prefer a longer-term extension but want to address healthcare funding separately.
The incident at LaGuardia highlights the added strain on airports already facing operational pressures from both staffing shortages and inclement weather.
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