10 months ago
Vilnius Airport Closed Again Due to Balloon Sightings
Vilnius Airport in Lithuania closed on Saturday due to weather balloons entering its airspace.
This is the fourth such event this month, causing disruption to air traffic.
The airport and the border with Belarus were shut down.
Officials indicated the closure was planned to last until 2 a.m.
(2300 GMT).
Lithuania blames Belarus for the incidents and says balloons may be linked to cigarette smuggling.
This highlights broader concerns about air incursions in the region.
Vilnius Airport closed on Saturday due to weather balloons.
The balloons originated from Belarus.
This is the fourth such incident this month.
Traffic at Vilnius Airport was suspended.
The Belarus border was also shut down.
- Who
- Lithuania and Belarus
- What
- Vilnius airport closure due to weather balloons
- Where
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- When
- Saturday
- Why
- Weather balloons entering airspace
Key facts
- Event
- Airport Closure
- Location
- Vilnius Airport, Lithuania
- Cause
- Weather Balloons
- Origin of Balloons
- Belarus
- Date
- Saturday
- Duration
- Until 2 a.m. (2300 GMT)
- Frequency
- Fourth incident this month
Timeline
Belarus scaled back drills with Russia.
Then, joint exercises were held, raising regional tensions.
Lithuania shut airports due to balloons from Belarus.
Quotes
Inga Ruginiene
Lithuania’s prime minister
“The national security commission will meet next week to assess … what can be done short-term that would be painful to the smugglers and to Lukashenko’s regime, which allows them to thrive”
firstpost.com
Sources
Lithuania again shuts Vilnius airport, Belarus border over balloon sightings
Lithuania shuts airports and Belarus border crossings after balloon sightings
Lithuania again shuts Vilnius airport due to balloons in airspace
Lithuania shuts 2 airports and border crossings with Belarus after weather balloon incursion
