Balloons carrying thousands of packs of cigarettes have disrupted flights in Lithuania, as Vilnius Airport was forced to close for hours when dozens of them floated into the country's airspace.
The National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) reported that 25 meteorological balloons were spotted entering Lithuania from neighbouring Belarus, two of which hovered directly over the airport.
This shutdown led to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers. Authorities warned that delays may continue into the following day.
The airspace violations come amidst heightened tensions in Europe following various drone incursions, suspected to be linked to Russia, which had already caused disruptions in air traffic.
Despite the ensuing chaos, a spokesman for the NCMC noted that the use of balloons for smuggling, especially from Belarus, is not a new tactic, and such incidents have been tracked for years. In just a year, over 544 balloons have reportedly entered Lithuania through this method.
A significant recovery was reported, with at least 11 balloons salvaged, containing around 18,000 packs of illicit cigarettes, though the State Border Guard Service indicated that this number might increase as operations continue.
There is speculation regarding the motivations behind using balloons instead of more controllable methods like drones, with authorities stating that balloons are cheaper and rudimentary tools preferred by smugglers.
This incident not only highlights the ongoing problem of smuggling via unconventional means but also draws attention to the broader implications for airspace security in Europe, especially near the borders with Belarus and Russia.
