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Weather balloons transporting numerous packages of cigarettes have caused flight disruptions in Lithuania, as Vilnius Airport was forced to close for hours when dozens of them floated into the national airspace.

Aviation Problems

The airport closure led to the cancellation of 30 flights impacting six thousand travelers, with airport representatives alerting that additional delays could occur throughout Monday.

National Security Measures

Border security stated that multiple atmospheric balloons were spotted infiltrating Lithuania from the border with Belarus, with two of which ending up directly over the main terminal.

As many as 14 of the atmospheric instruments deployed throughout the weekend passed through the Vilnius area, which is situated near Lithuania's main urban center and near the border with Belarus.

Smuggled Items Retrieved

A minimum of 11 balloons containing eighteen thousand packages of black-market cigarettes have since been recovered, though this number could rise, according to border security officials.

International Illegal Trade

While creating issues, officials emphasized that "Weather devices carrying illegal goods - Belarusian smoking products - are nothing new in neighboring countries."

Since January, 544 balloons have been recorded entering Lithuania from Belarus, while nearly a thousand were noted during the prior year.

Regional Consequences

Meanwhile, the border area of Poland, which similarly neighbors Belarus, has registered in excess of one hundred incidents in which smuggled items were delivered from its neighbor using the meteorological equipment.

Illegal Transport Methods

When questioned about why criminals use a approach that remains highly susceptible to weather factors rather than easier to manage drones, representatives elaborated that "Atmospheric equipment are simple mechanisms used by smugglers - they are less expensive than drones for carrying smoking materials from Belarus."

Security Service Goals

Authorities continued that "Our services' aim is to confiscate the maximum possible volumes of smuggled items and to apprehend coordinators and perpetrators so that this activity become economically unsustainable and do not pose risk to passenger aircraft."

International Concerns

These airspace violations occur during an era marked by increased concerns in Europe following multiple unmanned aircraft violations that have resulted in flight interruptions across the continent.

Similar occurrences in neighboring countries have prompted European leaders to speed up talks about strengthening air defences throughout the continent.