Balloon Intrusions Halt Vilnius Airport Operations

Vilnius Airport in Lithuania experienced temporary shutdowns due to balloons entering its airspace, causing flight diversions. The disruptions, attributed to Belarus and its president, are regarded as a 'hybrid attack' involving weather balloons transporting cigarettes. European aviation has faced similar chaos recently due to aerial incursions.

Lithuania's Vilnius Airport reopened after being temporarily closed twice due to balloons approaching its airspace, which led to incoming flights being rerouted to other cities.

European aviation has encountered chaos in recent months with drone sightings and airspace incursions at Copenhagen and Brussels airports, while the Vilnius incident marked its ninth closure since early October. The Lithuanian government blames Belarus for the disruptions, accusing President Alexander Lukashenko of allowing weather balloons carrying contraband cigarettes to enter Lithuania as a 'hybrid attack'.

The airport announced on Facebook that 'airspace restrictions lifted on November 24 at 03:25 a.m. (0125 GMT)'. It had noted late on Sunday that 'markings typical of balloons' were seen heading toward Vilnius Airport, initially planning to reopen at 2330 GMT but faced further disruptions shortly afterwards. Lithuania temporarily closed its border with Belarus in response to these incidents, reopening the crossing points earlier this week amid improving conditions.

(With inputs from agencies.)