Archive · 24 Nov 2025
Vilnius Airport Reopens After Balloon Disruptions
Vilnius Airport in Lithuania had to close and reopen a few times because of balloons coming from Belarus.
These balloons are thought to be carrying illegal cigarettes.
Lithuania says this is a problem caused by Belarus's president, Alexander Lukashenko.
The airport had to stop flights twice in one night, but it's open again now.
Lithuania had also closed its border with Belarus for a while because of this, but reopened it recently.
Belarus's president says the border closure is not fair and that the West is causing trouble.
Vilnius Airport reopened after temporary closures due to balloon incursions.
Balloons are suspected of carrying contraband cigarettes from Belarus.
Lithuania blames Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko for the incidents.
The airport had nine closures since early October due to similar incidents.
Lithuania temporarily closed border crossing points with Belarus but reopened them earlier this week.
- Who
- Lithuania and Belarus
- What
- Balloon incursions causing airport disruptions
- When
- November 24, 2023
- Where
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Why
- Contraband cigarettes from Belarus
- Location
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Incident Type
- Balloon incursions
- Airport Closures
- 9 since early October
- Border Closure
- Temporary closure of crossing points with Belarus
- Accusations
- Lithuania blames Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko
- Contraband
- Cigarettes
- Airspace Restrictions Lifted
- November 24 around 03:25 a.m. (0125 GMT)