Lois Larson
New York City's LaGuardia Airport, colloquially known as LaGuardia or LGA, is a civil airport in Queens, New York City. It was established in 1929 and began operating as a public airport in 1939. The airport is named after Fiorello H. La Guardia, a former mayor of New York City. Interestingly, LaGuardia Airport was built on landfill, specifically dirt and soil from the nearby Rikers Island, which was a garbage dump at the time. This has led to the airport sinking faster than other parts of the city and earning the nickname La Garbage among pilots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Landfill used | Dirt/soil from Rikers Island, a garbage dump |
| Metal framework used | Yes |
| Affected compass readings | Yes |
| Built on a former garbage dump | No |
| Nicknames | La Garbage, Bus Station of Airports |
| Year of construction | 1937 |
| Size | 558 acres |
| Location | Flushing, Queens |
| Previous occupant | Gala Amusement Park |
| Current status | Sinking faster than other parts of the city |
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What You'll Learn
LaGuardia Airport was built on landfill from Rikers Island
LaGuardia Airport (IATA: LGA, ICAO: KLGA, FAA LID: LGA) is a civil airport in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York City. It is named after Fiorello H. La Guardia, a former mayor of New York City. The airport was established in 1929 and began operating as a public airport in 1939. It is located on the waterfront of Flushing and Bowery Bays in East Elmhurst and covers 680 acres as of January 1, 2025.
The use of landfill from Rikers Island to build LaGuardia Airport is reflected in the nicknames given to the airport by pilots, such as "La Garbage" and "LaGarbage." These nicknames also refer to the sinkholes in runways and the airport's proximity to a garbage dump.
Rikers Island, located near LaGuardia Airport, was used as a garbage dump until 1943. The landfill enlarged the original 90-acre island to 415 acres, with 200 acres stripped from Rikers to help fill in the new North Beach Airport. The expansion of Rikers Island enabled the jail facilities on the island to expand as well.
In recent years, there have been proposals to close the jail complex on Rikers Island and reuse the land for other purposes. One proposal suggests building a low-rise residential development, while another proposal considers expanding LaGuardia Airport by incorporating Rikers Island into its footprint, which would increase flight capacity. However, the leakage of toxic methane gas from the landfill base poses a problem for any proposed development.
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The airport is nicknamed 'La Garbage' by pilots
LaGuardia Airport, or LGA, in New York City is built on landfill. The airport was constructed in 1937 on the waterfront of Flushing and Bowery Bays in East Elmhurst, Queens. The site required landfill from Rikers Island, a nearby garbage dump, to be laid onto a metal framework.
Due to its construction on landfill, LaGuardia has been nicknamed "La Garbage" by pilots. This nickname first appeared in print in 1988 in the New York Times and was later used in the 1989 book, *Unfriendly Skies: Revelations of a Deregulated Airline Pilot*, by Captain X (Brian Power-Waters) and Reynolds Dodson. The nickname has persisted, appearing on Twitter as recently as 2020.
There are several reasons why pilots have given LaGuardia this nickname. Firstly, the landfill came from a garbage dump, so the airport was literally built on garbage. Secondly, the landfill was laid onto a metal framework that still causes magnetic interference with the compasses of outgoing aircraft. Signs on the airfield warn pilots about this issue. Thirdly, the landfill has caused the airport to sink faster than other parts of the city, leading to concerns about its vulnerability to flooding and sea-level rise. Finally, the landfill has been blamed for sinkholes in the runways.
Despite its nickname, LaGuardia is a major airport that has been in operation for over 80 years. It is named after Fiorello H. La Guardia, a former mayor of New York City who was a bomber pilot in World War I. The airport has faced challenges over the years, including limited space for expansion and sinking and flooding issues due to its construction on landfill. However, it remains a busy and important transportation hub, accommodating airline service to domestic and limited international destinations.
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The landfill came from a nearby garbage dump
LaGuardia Airport, or LGA, in New York City, is indeed built on landfill. However, the landfill itself was not a garbage dump per se, but dirt and soil brought in to level the building site. This landfill came from a nearby garbage dump—Rikers Island, which was then a landfill site.
The airport was constructed on the waterfront of Flushing and Bowery Bays in East Elmhurst, bordering Astoria and Jackson Heights. The site required landfill to be brought in from Rikers Island, which was a garbage dump at the time, to create a metal reinforcing framework. This framework still causes magnetic interference on the compasses of outgoing aircraft, and signs on the airfield warn pilots of this issue.
The use of landfill from Rikers Island was a practical solution to level the site and create a stable foundation for the airport. While it is not uncommon for airports to be built on landfill, LaGuardia has gained a reputation among pilots for its sinkholes and other issues, earning it the nickname "La Garbage".
The nickname "La Garbage" is also attributed to the airport's proximity to a garbage dump, as well as the sinkholes that have appeared on its runways. The airport's location near Flushing Bay and its history of landfill use have contributed to its less-than-flattering moniker.
Over time, LaGuardia Airport has undergone expansions and improvements to accommodate increasing air traffic. Despite its initial construction on landfill, the airport has become a significant transportation hub in the New York metropolitan area, serving both domestic and limited international destinations.
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The airport is sinking faster than other parts of New York City
New York’s LaGuardia Airport is sinking faster than other parts of the city, according to a NASA study. Its rate of subsidence is more than double the average rate for the city. The airport was built on landfill, which is vulnerable to sinking due to two main reasons. Firstly, their local topographic elevation is likely to be lower, meaning they are already close to sea level. Secondly, the ground beneath landfills tends to be less stable.
LaGuardia Airport was constructed in 1937 on the waterfront of Flushing and Bowery Bays in East Elmhurst, Queens. The project required landfill to be brought from nearby Rikers Island, which was then a garbage dump, and laid onto a metal framework. This metal framework still causes magnetic interference on the compasses of outgoing aircraft, and signs on the airfield warn pilots about the problem.
The airport's vulnerability to sinking has been known for some time. In 1989, a commercial pilot, writing under the pseudonym "Captain X," co-authored a book about airline safety that criticised LaGuardia Airport, calling it "La Garbage." The airport's limited surrounding land has also made it difficult to expand and accommodate increasing air traffic.
The latest renovations to LaGuardia included investments in flood resiliency, but heavy rainfall in late September 2023 still caused flooding that forced flight cancellations. Previous estimates suggested that the airport would be underwater by 2100, but the more recent NASA study indicates that the airport is even more vulnerable than previously believed. The study found that the city-wide sinking is due to a process known as Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA).
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LaGuardia Airport is vulnerable to flooding
LaGuardia Airport, or LGA, in New York City is vulnerable to flooding. The airport, which is located in Queens, was built on landfill from Rikers Island, which was a garbage dump at the time. The landfill was laid onto a metal framework, which still causes magnetic interference on the compasses of departing aircraft.
LaGuardia Airport's vulnerability to flooding is due in part to its construction on landfill. Landfills tend to be located close to sea level, and the ground beneath them is often less stable, making them more susceptible to flooding. Additionally, LaGuardia Airport is sinking faster than other parts of the city, according to a NASA study. This increased rate of subsidence further contributes to the airport's vulnerability to flooding.
The airport's low elevation and unstable ground make it particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels. Previous estimates from the New York Panel on Climate Change (NPCC) suggested that the airport would be underwater by 2100 and would start facing monthly flooding from high tides by 2050. However, more recent heavy rainfall in September 2023 caused flooding at the airport, leading to flight cancellations and disruptions for passengers.
The $8 billion upgrades that have been made to LaGuardia may not be sufficient to protect it from the impacts of flooding and sea-level rise. The airport's proximity to water and its sinking rate make it especially vulnerable to the challenges posed by storms and rising sea levels. LaGuardia's vulnerability to flooding is a significant concern for the aviation industry and the many passengers who utilize the airport each year.
To mitigate the risks of flooding, LaGuardia Airport has invested in flood resiliency measures during its latest renovation. However, the effectiveness of these measures in the face of rising sea levels and the airport's sinking rate remains to be seen. The airport's management and local authorities must continue to monitor and address the flooding risks to ensure the safety and functionality of this critical transportation hub.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, LaGuardia Airport was built on landfill from Rikers Island, which was a garbage dump at the time. The landfill was laid onto a metal framework, which still causes magnetic interference on the compasses of outgoing aircraft.
The original site of the airport was the Gala Amusement Park, which was transformed into a 105-acre private flying field in 1929. This was later renamed North Beach Airport, but the site was too small for the planned expansion of the airport.
LaGuardia Airport is colloquially known as LaGuardia or LGA. It has also been nicknamed "La Garbage" by pilots due to its construction on landfill and the presence of sinkholes in the runways.
LaGuardia Airport is currently functional, but it is facing a sinking problem. According to a NASA study, it is sinking faster than other parts of New York City due to being built on fill, and it is vulnerable to flooding from rising sea levels.
