10 months ago
Lithuania Shuts Vilnius Airport Again Over Weather Balloons
Imagine a big airport where planes land and take off.
Sometimes, strange balloons float too close to the airport, making it unsafe for planes to fly.
This happened again in Vilnius, Lithuania.
It's the sixth time this has happened recently!
The airport had to close for a little while so no planes would be in danger.
Lithuania believes these balloons are sent by people trying to sneak things, like cigarettes, into the country.
They are also upset with Belarus because they think Belarus isn't stopping these balloons.
Because of these balloon problems, Lithuania has also made it harder for people to travel between Lithuania and Belarus.
Vilnius Airport was temporarily closed on Thursday due to weather balloons in the vicinity.
This marks the sixth such incident at the airport this month.
Lithuania suspects smugglers are using the balloons to transport contraband, possibly cigarettes.
Lithuania blames Belarus for not preventing the practice and has closed its border crossings with Belarus for most travelers.
Lithuanian authorities have stated their intention to shoot down the balloons.
- Who
- Vilnius Airport and Lithuanian authorities
- What
- Temporary closure of Vilnius Airport due to weather balloons
- Where
- Vilnius Airport, Lithuania
- When
- Thursday
- Why
- Weather balloons flying in the vicinity of the airport, suspected to be used by smugglers
Lithuania's Stance
Belarus's Stance
Reason for Balloons
Lithuania's Stance
Balloons are sent by smugglers transporting contraband, such as cigarettes.
Belarus's Stance
Not explicitly stated, but implied they are not a significant issue or are being misrepresented.
Responsibility for Balloons
Lithuania's Stance
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is blamed for not stopping the practice.
Belarus's Stance
President Lukashenko calls Lithuania's border closure a 'crazy scam' and accuses the West of fighting a hybrid war against Belarus and Russia.
Border Closures
Lithuania's Stance
Lithuania has closed its border crossings between Lithuania and Belarus for most travelers in response to airspace disruptions.
Belarus's Stance
President Lukashenko criticizes the Lithuanian border closure as a 'crazy scam'.
Key facts
- Airport Closure Time
- Until 2110 GMT on Thursday
- Frequency of Incidents
- Sixth incident this month
- Lithuania-Belarus Border Closure
- For most travelers until end of November
Quotes
Vilnius Airport
The airport authority in Vilnius, Lithuania.
“According to preliminary information, the decision to restrict the airspace was made due to a balloon (or balloons) flying in the direction of Vilnius Airport.”
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Alexander Lukashenko
President of Belarus.
“Lithuania’s border closure was a “crazy scam” and he accused the West of fighting a hybrid war against Belarus and Russia that was ushering in a new era of barbed-wire division.”
theprint.in
