Belarus Balloon Incursions Cost Lithuania's Airports Over €750,000

Lithuanian airports have suffered over €750,000 in losses due to repeated balloon incursions from Belarus suspected of cigarette smuggling. The disruptions affected approximately 320 flights and impacted more than 45,000 passengers in October and November 2025. Vilnius Airport experienced its longest closure to date at 11 hours, canceling 31 flights and affecting 7,400 passengers. While damage estimates remain preliminary, authorities continue investigating the coordinated nature of these hybrid attacks on critical aviation infrastructure.