Weather balloons transporting a large quantity of cigarettes have disrupted flights in Lithuania, as the country's main airport was required to halt operations for hours when dozens of them floated into the country's airspace.
The airport closure led to 30 flight cancellations affecting six thousand travelers, with authorities cautioning that additional delays could occur throughout Monday.
Border security stated that 25 meteorological balloons were spotted infiltrating Lithuania from neighboring Belarus, with two of which ending up right above the aviation facility.
Approximately 14 of the atmospheric instruments deployed throughout the weekend passed through the Vilnius area, which is home to Lithuania's primary metropolis and close to the border with Belarus.
No fewer than 11 balloons containing 18,000 packs of contraband smoking materials have now been retrieved, though this number could rise, according to customs agents.
Despite the disruption, officials emphasized that "Balloons with contraband - tobacco products originating in Belarus - are nothing new in neighboring countries."
So far this year, over five hundred weather devices have been recorded entering Lithuania from Belarus, while approximately 966 had been documented the previous year.
Meanwhile, the north-eastern Polish territory, which likewise adjoins Belarus, has documented over one hundred incidents in which smuggled items were delivered from its adjacent country employing the balloons.
Regarding inquiries concerning why smugglers utilize a technique that proves highly susceptible to weather elements rather than easier to manage drones, representatives elaborated that "Weather devices are simple mechanisms used by illegal traders - they are more economical than drones for moving tobacco products from Belarus."
Representatives further stated that "The objective of our agencies is to confiscate the maximum possible quantities of contraband and to apprehend coordinators and participants so that such operations become economically unsustainable and do not pose risk to passenger aircraft."
The recent incidents occur during a time of heightened tension in Europe following various aerial device infiltrations that have created aviation problems across European nations.
Parallel situations in adjacent nations have prompted European leaders to accelerate discussions about improving airspace protection throughout the region.
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