Vilnius Airport Disrupted by Smuggling Balloons: 6,000 Passengers Affected
Vilnius International Airport (VNO) faced a significant disruption on October 3-4, 2025, when illegal meteorological balloons carrying contraband cigarettes breached Lithuanian airspace from Belarus. The incident, which affected around 6,000 passengers, has raised concerns about organized crime and potential state actor involvement.
The balloons, carrying 12,000 packs of contraband cigarettes, caused chaos at VNO, disrupting 30 flights. Initially, 13 or 14 balloons were spotted over Vilnius and nearby areas, with two hovering above the airport. Flights resumed at 04:50 local time on October 5, and the airport was fully operational by October 6.
Investigations suggest these smuggling incidents are part of a larger, organized crime operation. Authorities suspect links to Russian state actors or affiliated groups, given similar incidents at airports in Denmark, Norway, Poland, Estonia, and Romania. In July 2025, Lithuania also faced drone violations, with one carrying an explosive payload. Munich Airport (MUC) in Germany was also shut down overnight on October 2-3 due to drone sightings.
The illegal use of meteorological balloons for smuggling contraband into Lithuanian airspace has highlighted the need for enhanced aviation security measures. Authorities are working to identify the organization behind these incidents and prevent future breaches. Meanwhile, Vilnius International Airport has resumed normal operations.
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