Vilnius Airport Closed Twice Due to Smuggling Balloons

Reform.news · 24 November 2025, 08:11

https://reform.news/en/vilnius-airport-closed-twice-due-to-smuggling-balloons/

Vilnius Airport was closed twice from Sunday to Monday because of smugglers’ balloons.

The airport of the Lithuanian capital first announced a pause in operations at 18:55 on Sunday. The decision to restrict movement in the airspace “was made on the basis of navigational signs characteristic of balloons.” The airport reopened at 00:25 on Monday.

However, less than an hour later, the airport was closed again. The pause in operations lasted from 01:40 to 03:25 on Monday, 24 November.

Five flights were cancelled, while others were moved to the morning or daytime, or diverted to nearby airports.