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Weather balloons transporting numerous packages of cigarettes have interfered with air travel in Lithuania, as Vilnius Airport was required to halt operations for several hours when dozens of them entered the country's airspace.

Aviation Problems

The airport closure led to the cancellation of 30 flights affecting six thousand travelers, with authorities cautioning that additional delays could occur throughout Monday.

Border Security Response

Authorities reported that 25 meteorological balloons were detected entering Lithuania from the border with Belarus, with two balloons ending up directly over the airport's airspace.

Approximately 14 of the weather balloons deployed throughout the weekend floated over the metropolitan zone, which is home to Lithuania's main urban center and close to the border with Belarus.

Contraband Recovery

No fewer than 11 balloons transporting eighteen thousand packages of black-market cigarettes have since been recovered, though this number could rise, according to border security officials.

Cross-Border Contraband Trend

While creating issues, representatives clarified that "Meteorological equipment transporting smuggled items - cigarettes from Belarus - are not unusual in neighboring countries."

To date in the current year, 544 balloons have been documented crossing into Lithuania from Belarus, while approximately 966 had been noted during the prior year.

Neighboring Country Impact

At the same time, the border area of Poland, which likewise adjoins Belarus, has recorded more than numerous instances in which illegal goods were transported from its adjacent country employing the weather devices.

Illegal Transport Methods

In response to questions about why criminals use a technique that proves highly susceptible to weather elements rather than more controllable drones, authorities explained that "Atmospheric equipment are basic instruments used by illegal traders - they are more economical than drones for carrying smoking materials from Belarus."

Security Service Goals

Officials added that "Our services' aim is to confiscate the maximum possible amounts of illegal goods and to apprehend coordinators and participants so that this activity become unprofitable and present no 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 European nations.

Parallel situations in adjacent nations have caused EU officials to speed up talks about improving airspace protection throughout European airspace.