Vilnius, Lithuania – lithuanian Transport Minister Marius skuodis revealed Tuesday that a drone spotted near Vilnius Airport last week, causing a temporary halt to flights, was likely operated legally by a security service inspecting railway infrastructure. The incident has spurred calls for improved facts sharing between aviation, railway, and law enforcement authorities.
According to Vilnius County Chief of Police Vidas Kondratovičius, the drone initially detected near Rasų, in the Liepkalnis area, was identified as being used for legitimate purposes – inspecting railway lines. “The police established the facts and concluded the search procedure. It was most likely a security service working with railway infrastructure protection, and they were operating legally,” Kondratovičius told journalists.
Skuodis stated he personally observed a drone flying over Panerių Street, above railway infrastructure, the day following the airport incident. He highlighted the proximity of the railway to Vilnius Airport, a critical consideration for airspace safety.
The disruption occurred on the night of Wednesday, October 25th, when the unidentified drone was detected near the airport. “Oro navigacija,” Lithuania’s air traffic control company, temporarily suspended all flights for approximately 30 minutes as a precautionary measure.
The flight suspension resulted in a delay for one departure to Tel Aviv, while several incoming aircraft were held in waiting zones, experiencing delays of 15-20 minutes. “Oro navigacija” confirmed the drone originated within Lithuanian territory.
Skuodis indicated that authorities have received a meaningful increase in reports from the public regarding drone sightings. “We are receiving a considerable number of signals – over 30 calls about drones – and we are responding to the situation,” he said. ”There is a lack of information exchange between aviation, railways, and the police.”
The minister praised the actions of aviation authorities in temporarily grounding flights, emphasizing their commitment to passenger safety. He also reminded drone operators that any drone registered within the European Union is prohibited from entering restricted airspace, including areas surrounding airports.
The incident underscores growing concerns about unauthorized drone activity and the potential risks to aviation safety. Lithuanian authorities are now evaluating protocols to enhance coordination and response capabilities to address future incidents involving unmanned aerial vehicles. the Lithuanian Civil Aviation Authority (LAA) is responsible for regulating drone operations within the country, requiring registration and adherence to specific flight rules.
