Vilnius airport closed overnight after cigarette-smuggling balloons enter from Belarus

Flights were suspended from 10:30pm on Tuesday until 6:30am on Wednesday, following sightings of illicit balloon traffic in Lithuanian airspace, the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) said.

Authorities believe the balloons were used to transport contraband cigarettes from Belarus. Thirty flights were cancelled, and incoming aircraft were diverted to Kaunas and Warsaw airports.

“This morning I already demanded that everyone come with concrete solutions,” Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday. “We must find — not debate, but find — what to do.”

The country’s eastern border with Belarus was also closed after the incident. The NCMC said the balloons appeared to have been launched from multiple locations.

Ruginienė said she would convene a National Security Committee meeting on Wednesday afternoon and called on Belarus to take responsibility for the incursions.

It was the second time this month that cigarette-smuggling balloons forced the closure of Vilnius airport. On 5 October, Lithuanian authorities intercepted at least 11 balloons carrying 18,000 packs of illegal cigarettes.

The closures add to a string of recent disruptions to European airspace. Airports in Copenhagen, Munich and the Baltic states have reported drone-related delays in recent months.

The European Union has previously accused Russia of hybrid warfare activities in the region, though Moscow denies any involvement.

An investigation into the latest balloon incident is ongoing, officials said.

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