vilnius Airport Briefly Suspended Operations Due to Cigarette-Smuggling Balloons
Air traffic around Vilnius Airport in Lithuania was temporarily halted last night after dozens of helium balloons were discovered in the airspace. Authorities steadfast the balloons were being used to smuggle cigarettes from neighboring belarus.
The unusual disruption, occurring roughly thirty kilometers from the Belarusian border, forced the diversion of flights to airports in Lithuania adn Poland. This incident marks the second time in recent weeks that Vilnius Airport has experienced flight disruptions due to similar balloon-based smuggling attempts, causing delays for thousands of passengers.
Lithuanian authorities report the balloons are typically employed for weather forecasting, but have been exploited for illicit cross-border activity. The recent surge in these incidents comes amid broader concerns about airspace security across Europe, with several airports – including those in Copenhagen, Oslo, and the Baltic states - having recently suspended operations due to drone activity. Though, officials believe the Vilnius balloon incident is unconnected to the ongoing drone investigations.
A similar disruption occurred a few weeks prior, resulting in critically important delays and lengthy waits for passengers at Vilnius Airport. The ongoing issue highlights the challenges of securing airspace against unconventional smuggling methods and maintaining consistent flight schedules.
