Vilnius Airport Briefly Halts Operations After Drone Sighting

Operations Suspended Due to Drone Detection

Vilnius Airport, Lithuania's primary international gateway, temporarily suspended its operations on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, after an unidentified drone was detected in its airspace. The suspension, which lasted for approximately 30 minutes, was implemented as a precautionary measure to ensure aviation safety.

According to Tadas Vasiliauskas, a representative of Lithuanian Airports (LTOU), restrictions over the airport were introduced at approximately 09:50 a.m. local time. The airspace was subsequently reopened at 10:18 a.m., with all airport operations resuming normal service.

Minimal Impact on Flights and Ongoing Investigation

The disruption had a minimal impact on air travel, affecting only two flights, as confirmed by Vasiliauskas. Ingrida Stragenė, a representative of the Public Security Service, described the object as a 'civilian drone' that remained in the air for 'less than a minute' or 'up to a minute'. Despite immediate security measures taken by airport staff and surrounding areas, the drone and its operator were not located.

Broader Context of European Airspace Incidents

This incident at Vilnius Airport is part of a recent trend of drone-related disruptions across Europe. It was the third such occurrence in the region within two days, following similar suspensions at two of Belgium's main international airports, Brussels and Charleroi, on November 4.

Lithuania has experienced several aerial incidents recently, including those involving meteorological balloons suspected of carrying contraband from Belarus. Lithuanian leaders have characterized these intrusions as a 'hybrid attack' and, in response, the country has closed its border with Belarus for a month. Authorities are considering expanding no-fly zones for unmanned aircraft to prevent future occurrences.