Lithuania has imposed airspace restrictions above Vilnius Airport starting at 20:30 due to the detection of unidentified objects, which are believed to be smuggled balloons from Belarus. The country’s aviation authority has issued a warning to airlines and pilots that flights may need to be diverted to holding patterns or other airports in response to these balloon sightings. Travel schedules are likely to be affected as authorities monitor the situation closely.

Officials confirm that they are actively tracking and analyzing the movements of navigational beacons to ensure the safety of air traffic. Moreover, they advise passengers to stay informed about announcements from the airport and airlines regarding flight changes or delays. In a related development, a plane from Tenerife that was scheduled to land in Vilnius has already been redirected to Kaunas due to these restrictions, highlighting the immediate impact on air travel.

This situation is reminiscent of the emergency declared by the government at the end of last year due to a crisis involving meteorological balloons, and it underscores the ongoing threat posed by smuggled balloons from Belarus. There have been numerous instances in recent months where the operations of Vilnius Airport were suspended because of this concern. The repetitive nature of this issue raises questions about airspace security and the need for long-term solutions to mitigate such risks in the future.