Balloon Incident at Vilnius Airport: Air Traffic Resumes After Chaos
Lithuania's Vilnius Airport, its main air traffic hub, reopened after balloon sightings in its airspace caused a temporary shutdown. The unexpected airspace incursion affected thousands of passengers and flights were diverted to neighboring countries. This disruption follows a pattern of recent incidents affecting European airports.
Lithuania's busiest air hub, Vilnius Airport, resumed operations on Sunday after an unprecedented closure due to balloon sightings. This unexpected situation halted flights, redirecting numerous planes to Latvia and Poland, impacting approximately 6,000 travelers. Airport authorities initially suspended flights late Saturday due to balloons approaching Vilnius Airport, causing havoc for European aviation yet again.
Drone sightings and air incursions have plagued European airports, with recent events causing similar disruptions in Copenhagen and Munich. Vilnius Airport confirmed the airspace was secured and operations reinstated early Sunday morning. However, lingering disruptions persisted as airlines worked to restore regular flights amidst disrupted crew and aircraft rotations.
The origin of the balloons remains unknown. Meanwhile, Lithuania maintains stringent airspace controls, especially after declaring a no-fly zone along its Belarus border. This proactive measure follows repeated incursions linked to geopolitical tensions in the region. Lithuania's decisive action underscores its commitment to maintaining airspace integrity and security.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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