Vilnius Airport Briefly Suspends Air Traffic Due to Possible Balloons in Airspace
Vilnius Airport in Lithuania temporarily suspended air traffic late on Saturday due to concerns about possible balloons in its airspace. As a result, flights were diverted to neighboring countries like Latvia and Poland. The airport has since reopened.
Flight Disruptions and Diversions
The airport operator announced the suspension on its Facebook page, stating that the decision was made "due to a possible series of balloons heading toward Vilnius Airport." The incident caused disruptions to flights, with most incoming flights being redirected and departures being canceled. One flight from Copenhagen returned to Denmark.
The airport initially anticipated the closure to last until 4:30 am on Sunday (01:30 GMT), but it was later reopened at 4:50 am local time. Travelers were advised to check the airport's website and airline announcements for updates.
Recent Aviation Disruptions in Europe
This incident follows a series of recent disruptions to European aviation, often caused by drone sightings and airspace incursions at airports in cities such as Copenhagen and Munich. Authorities across the continent are working to address these increasing security concerns.
Lithuania's No-Fly Zone Near Belarus
In August, Lithuania, a NATO member and strong supporter of Ukraine, established a 90-km (60-mile) no-fly zone along its border with Belarus in response to previous drone incursions. The no-fly zone is intended to give its armed forces additional time to react to airspace violations. Vilnius is located approximately 30 km from the border with Belarus, which shares a 679-km (422-mile) border with Lithuania and is a close ally of Russia.
