Vilnius Airport temporarily suspends flights again over suspected Belarus balloon intrusion

Vilnius Airport temporarily suspended operations on Tuesday evening after navigational markers consistent with balloons were detected in a designated danger zone, prompting authorities to impose airspace restrictions for safety reasons. The National Crisis Management Centre (NKVC) said the disruption was linked to what Lithuania describes as a hybrid attack originating from Belarus.

The restrictions were introduced at 19:05 local time and were initially expected to remain in place until 22:05, but airspace was reopened earlier at 20:29 following ongoing monitoring and assessment. During the disruption, three aircraft were diverted to Riga and two to Kaunas, affecting around 700 passengers.

NKVC said the situation was dynamic, with decisions taken rapidly to ensure the safety of civil aviation, passengers and the public. More detailed and verified information is expected to be provided by Wednesday morning.

Lithuanian authorities have repeatedly blamed Belarus for failing to prevent the launch of balloons, which are often used by smugglers to transport contraband cigarettes across the border. Lithuanian officials and politicians consider these incidents part of a broader hybrid threat. Similar disruptions have forced Vilnius Airport to suspend operations more than ten times since autumn, with the most recent prior incident occurring in December. A state of emergency was declared in mid-December due to the risks posed to aviation safety.

Passengers affected by delays or cancellations have been advised to contact their airlines directly and to follow updates on the Vilnius Airport website.