Smuggler Balloons Force Temporary Closure of Vilnius Airport in Lithuania

In a peculiar and disruptive episode, dozens of balloons used by smugglers to transport cigarettes were responsible for the overnight closure of Vilnius Airport in Lithuania. The airport experienced a shutdown from 11 PM local time on Tuesday until 6:30 AM on Wednesday, highlighting an unusual method of smuggling cigarettes from Belarus into the European Union, where prices are significantly higher. Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Centre, remarked that this incident represented the most extensive balloon incursion of the year. In reference to the closure, he emphasized that the decision was made to safeguard civil aviation operations in light of the unique threat posed by the balloons. The scrutiny wasn’t isolated to aerial measures; traffic at two land border crossings between Lithuania and Belarus was similarly halted, later resuming operations on Wednesday, according to Lithuanian border authorities. Lithuania's Prime Minister, Inga Ruginienė, expressed concerns over the troubling trend, urging Belarus to work collaboratively to prevent such incidents in the future. She called for a responsible approach, stating, "It’s not normal that so many balloons are crossing our border and that we have to intercept them to keep them away from our strategic sites and installations." This incident follows a similar occurrence on October 5, when 25 balloons crossed into Lithuanian airspace, prompting a reaction from authorities. Earlier this year, several balloons also landed in Lithuania, even reaching the airport. Since last year, Lithuanian border guards have been authorized to shoot down these balloons if necessary. Official statistics reveal that a total of 966 balloons entered Lithuania last year, with over 500 reported so far this year. The situation is compounded by neighboring Poland, which has faced more than 100 similar incidents in the current year, as noted by border police. As a member of both the EU and NATO, Lithuania is particularly sensitive to violations of its airspace. The issue has gained more significance following several incidents in July involving suspected Russian drones crossing into Lithuanian territory from Belarus, one of which was carrying explosives. As tensions continue, the unexpected use of balloons for smuggling presents new challenges for border control and civil aviation safety. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2