Vilnius Airport Halts Operations Amid Suspected Balloon Incursion

Airspace Restrictions Imposed

Vilnius Airport, the primary international gateway for Lithuania's capital, temporarily halted operations on Sunday, November 30, 2025, following the detection of suspected balloons in its airspace. Airspace restrictions were put in place around 6:09 PM local time (4:09 PM GMT) and were anticipated to remain in effect until approximately 9:00 PM. The airport stated that 'preliminary information indicates that the decision to impose airspace restrictions was triggered by navigational markers, typical of balloons, moving toward Vilnius Airport.'

Ongoing 'Hybrid Attack' Allegations

This incident is not isolated, marking at least the tenth closure for Vilnius Airport since early October due to similar occurrences. Lithuanian authorities have repeatedly asserted that these balloons originate from neighboring Belarus and are allegedly used to transport contraband cigarettes. Lithuania has characterized these repeated incursions as a form of 'hybrid attack' orchestrated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. In response to these ongoing disruptions, Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys has called upon the European Union to consider imposing targeted sanctions on Belarus.

Flight Disruptions and Diversions

The temporary closure led to immediate disruptions for air travelers. Multiple incoming flights were diverted to other airports. A Ryanair flight en route from Oslo was rerouted to Kaunas Airport (KUN), while a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul was diverted to Riga. Additionally, a Finnair flight originating from Helsinki was forced to turn back to its departure city. The repeated nature of these incidents has caused significant logistical challenges for airlines and passengers alike.

Previous Measures and Belarusian Response

In October, Lithuania had temporarily closed both border crossing points with Belarus in an effort to curb the balloon incidents. However, these points were reopened last week after a period where air traffic interruptions appeared to have ceased. Belarusian President Lukashenko has dismissed Lithuania's accusations, labeling the border closure a 'crazy scam' and accusing the West of engaging in a hybrid war against Belarus and Russia.