VILNIUS (Reuters) -Lithuania's Vilnius airport closed on Saturday due to meteorological balloons entering its airspace from neighbouring Belarus, the Baltic country's National Crisis Management Centre
Lithuania Closes Vilnius Airport and Belarus Border Over Balloon Incidents
Impact of Balloon Sightings on Aviation and Security
VILNIUS (Reuters) -NATO member Lithuania closed its capital airport late on Saturday and shut both crossings on the border with Belarus after helium weather balloons drifted into the Baltic country's territory for a second consecutive day.
Recent Airport Closures
Traffic at Vilnius Airport was suspended until 2 a.m. (2300 GMT), while the Belarus border will remain shut until the same time, Lithuanian officials said.
Government Response and Security Measures
European aviation has repeatedly been thrown into chaos in recent weeks by drone sightings and other air incursions, including at airports in Copenhagen, Munich and the Baltic region.
Prime Minister's Statement
The Vilnius airport also closed on Tuesday and Friday of this week and on October 5, each time due to balloons entering the capital's airspace, authorities have said.
National Security Commission Meeting
Lithuania has said balloons are sent by smugglers transporting contraband cigarettes, but it also blames Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, for not stopping the practice.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene on Friday said the country's National Security Commission will meet next week to assess the situation.
(Reporting by Andrius Sytas, editing by Terje Solsvik)
