Weather Balloons Again Disrupt Operations at Vilnius Airport

During the night of March 21–22, temporary airspace restrictions were вновь introduced at Vilnius Airport after objects resembling weather balloons were detected.

At 00:33, navigation traces characteristic of airborne balloons were identified in areas posing a risk to aviation. The restrictions were lifted at 01:46, the airport’s press service reported.

The incident affected five flights and 503 passengers. One flight was diverted to Kaunas and later arrived in Vilnius after restrictions were lifted. Two flights returned to Warsaw and Copenhagen and were cancelled. Two departures from Vilnius to Warsaw and Copenhagen were also cancelled.

Due to disruptions in crew and aircraft schedules, minor delays are possible on March 22–23. Passengers of affected flights are advised to contact their airlines directly.

This is already the fourth disruption at Vilnius Airport in 2026 linked to weather balloons. Since the beginning of the year, Lithuania has intercepted 45 balloons carrying contraband cigarettes from Belarus. Lithuanian politicians have described the launches as a hybrid attack by Minsk.