-Lithuania again shuts Vilnius airport

26/10/2025 6:15

Lithuania's Vilnius airport closed on Saturday due to weather balloons entering its airspace from neighbouring Belarus.



Traffic at the airport was suspended until 2AM LOCAL TIME.



European aviation has repeatedly been thrown into chaos in recent weeks by drone sightings and other air incursions, including at airports in Copenhagen, Munich and the Baltic region.



Lithuania has said balloons are sent by smugglers transporting contraband cigarettes, but it also blames Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, for not stopping the practice.



Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene on Friday said the country's National Security Commission will meet next week to assess the situation.