Frontier Airlines Flight F9 3506 Hard Landing at San Juan Causes Major Travel Disruptions, Temporary Runway Closure, and Passenger Delays with Compensation Offered: New Update

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On the evening of April 15, 2025, a Frontier Airlines Airbus A321neo sustained damage to its nose landing gear after making a hard landing at San Juan Luis Munoz International Airport (SJU). The aircraft, operating as Flight F93506, had departed from Orlando International Airport (MCO) at 7:15 PM and was due to arrive in San Juan at 9:38 PM local time. However, the plane struck the runway with considerable force around 9:40 PM, prompting the crew to initiate a go-around.

Impact on Airport Operations
After the hard landing, debris was left on the runway, and the aircraft’s left engine emitted flames during its climb-out. In response, both runways at the airport were closed to allow for inspection and clearance of debris. The aircraft was then directed to land on runway 08, the airport’s secondary runway, resulting in delays for incoming flights. The runway closures disrupted air traffic temporarily, but normal operations resumed once runway 08 was cleared.

The crew was able to safely guide the aircraft back to the airport, where all 228 passengers deplaned without any reported injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations to determine the cause of the hard landing.

Aircraft Details and Performance
The Airbus A321neo, registered N607FR, is a relatively new addition to the Frontier Airlines fleet, having been delivered in December 2022. The aircraft has a capacity of 240 seats, with 216 in economy class and 24 in economy plus. It is equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW1133G-JM engines and boasts a distinctive animal-themed livery, featuring a great white shark design on its tail.

Flight Delays and Compensation for Passengers
After the hard landing, the aircraft performed a series of maneuvers above the airport before safely landing on runway 08 at approximately 10:20 PM, around 40 minutes after its initial touchdown. During this time, runway 08 was reopened, while runway 10 remained closed for an extended period to allow for inspection. Flight F93506 was the only flight to land at San Juan between 9:37 PM and 11:37 PM.

To compensate for the inconvenience caused by the delays, Frontier Airlines provided affected passengers with $500 vouchers and refunds.

Frontier Airlines’ Presence in San Juan
This incident underscores Frontier Airlines’ significant presence in San Juan, with the carrier operating up to 131 weekly flights to the Puerto Rican capital. Flight F93506 is part of Frontier’s extensive service from Orlando, with 29 weekly flights on this route, making it the airline’s busiest. Frontier faces competition from other carriers such as Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines, who also operate numerous weekly flights between Orlando and San Juan.

In total, Frontier Airlines serves San Juan with nonstop routes from around 20 U.S. cities, cementing its role as a key airline operating in the region. Following the incident, the airline’s operations at the airport resumed quickly, reaffirming its commitment to providing extensive flight options to Puerto Rico.