Vilnius and Kaunas airports closed down after balloons drift into country’s airspace for third time this month
Lithuania closed its two biggest airports on Friday and shut crossings on its border with Belarus after helium weather balloons drifted into its territory, the third such occurrence in the Baltic state this month.
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.
Vilnius and Kaunas airports were closed for safety reasons until 2am local time on Saturday, while the Belarus border crossings will remain shut until midday on Sunday, authorities said.
Lithuania, a European Union member, has said smugglers use the balloons to send Belarusian cigarettes into the EU, where tobacco products are more expensive.
