Suspected Hot Air Balloons Disrupt Operations at Vilnius Airport

The Vilnius Airport in Lithuania faced significant disruption late Saturday evening due to the presence of suspected hot air balloons in the airspace. The airport's operator, LTOU, confirmed that flight operations were temporarily halted in response to reports of a series of balloons heading towards the capital.

Incoming flights were redirected, primarily to neighboring countries such as Latvia and Poland, while departures were canceled. Following the initial closure, the airport announced an extension of the shutdown by two hours, now set to last until 4:30 AM local time on Sunday.

This incident is part of a broader trend, as European air traffic has experienced repeated interruptions in recent weeks due to sightings of drones and other airspace violations. These events have raised concerns across the continent, impacting major airports in cities like Copenhagen and Munich.

Lithuania, which has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia, shares a border of approximately 679 kilometers with Belarus, a close ally of Moscow. The distance from Vilnius to the border is a mere 30 kilometers, making airspace security particularly critical in the region.

In response to drone sightings from Belarus in August, Lithuania had previously established a no-fly zone extending 90 kilometers along its border. The recent disturbances highlight the ongoing challenges faced by European nations in maintaining secure airspace and the potential risks posed by unauthorized aerial activities.