Lithuania suspended all air traffic at Vilnius Airport late Tuesday night after detecting dozens of smugglers’ balloons in its airspace. The country’s National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) confirmed the suspension in an official statement.

Balloons Used for Cigarette Smuggling

Authorities said the disruption was caused by “weather balloons used to smuggle cigarettes from Belarus.” These balloons crossed into Lithuanian airspace, forcing aviation officials to act immediately for safety reasons. The NCMC urged travelers to monitor official airport updates for further information.

Flights Diverted to Nearby Airports

Due to the airspace closure, eight incoming flights were redirected. Some were diverted to Kaunas Airport in Lithuania, while others landed in Warsaw, according to the operator of Vilnius Airport.

Similar Incidents in Europe

European air travel has faced several interruptions in recent weeks due to drone sightings and other air incursions. Airports in Copenhagen, Munich, and across the Baltic region have also faced similar disruptions.

Repeat of an Earlier Shutdown

This is not the first time Vilnius Airport has faced such an incident. On October 5, it was forced to shut down temporarily after helium balloons carrying contraband cigarettes from neighboring Belarus entered Lithuanian airspace.