Last week, Lithuania’s airspace was closed four times due to balloons entering from Belarus, causing widespread flight disruptions. Travel agencies stress that for package holidays, responsibility for tourists lies with the organiser. However, as airspace closures are classified as force majeure, customers are not entitled to compensation.
On Sunday evening, Vilnius Airport experienced disruption for the third consecutive day due to meteorological balloons carrying contraband entering from Belarus. In total, flights were affected four times last week because of these contraband balloons.
Many travellers only discovered problems upon arriving at Vilnius Airport, where they were delayed due to the closed airspace. While some managed to depart, others faced cancellations or had to land in Kaunas or Riga instead of Vilnius.
Numerous reports online describe passengers having to travel several hours by bus to reach their final destination. Even those who successfully departed Lithuania were anxious about their return journeys.
“I’ve booked a four-day trip to Malta, but I’m worried about facing the same situation. On a short trip, a delayed flight significantly shortens your holiday, and you don’t know if you’ll even return to the airport you planned,” Vilnius resident Marija told LRT.lt.
Marija had planned to purchase further flights but has decided to wait and monitor the situation.
As a result, public debate has emerged over whether such incidents could negatively affect the tourism sector and undermine travellers’ confidence.
Travel Agencies Respond
According to Lina Juzakėnienė, sales manager at ZigZag Travel, tickets were either rebooked or refunds arranged.
“Some passengers flying to Vilnius were redirected to Riga or Kaunas. For these travellers, airlines arrange bus transfers to Vilnius. There were also tourists who experienced significant inconvenience when their flights to a holiday in Turkey were delayed by almost a day,” explained Juzakėnė.
She noted that families planning holidays over school breaks were particularly concerned.
“Whether this will affect tourists’ decisions to book trips in advance is hard to predict at this stage. Only a few days have passed since the airport disruptions. However, if the situation recurs and no solution is found to prevent these interruptions, anything could happen,” Juzakėnė admitted.
Ieva Galvydienė, head of Novaturas, explained that most of the company’s flights operate in the morning and daytime, so the impact of the balloon incidents has been limited to a small number of flights.
If airlines receive notice that Vilnius Airport will reopen soon, priority is usually given to transporting passengers to their final destinations by air, she said.
“Although the temporary closures of Vilnius Airport cause inconvenience and additional challenges, we have noticed that travellers are responding calmly and remain understanding, fully aware that these are external factors beyond the control of travel organisers or airlines,” Galvydienė said.
Passenger Care
Regardless of whether a flight is delayed, cancelled, or diverted to another airport, Jaroslav Maksimovičius, CEO of the travel operator Itaka in the Baltic states, explains that under European Union regulations, passengers are entitled to care in all cases.
“If a flight is cancelled, airlines can offer an alternative flight to the holiday destination. Since airspace closure is a force majeure event, customers are not entitled to compensation,” he said.
According to Maksimovičius, the tour operator takes care of the remaining elements of the travel package, including transfers, hotel accommodation, and adjustments to the changed situation, bearing the associated financial burden.
“If you find yourself in such a situation, we recommend staying calm and patiently waiting for information from the airline and its handling companies at the airport. These are unforeseen events, and it is unclear how long they may last.
Decisions regarding flight delays or cancellations cannot be made immediately. Once the situation becomes clear, the airport ground staff inform passengers without delay,” Maksimovičius explains.
Tips for Independent Travellers
Juzakėnienė notes that for those who have purchased a full travel package – including flights, transfers, and accommodation – the responsibility for passengers lies with the tour operator.
“Depending on the situation, whether the flight is cancelled, delayed, or diverted to an alternative airport, the tour operator arranges care for the travellers. Passengers should contact the tour operator or the agency where they purchased the trip,” she told LRT.lt.
For those who have purchased package holidays, travel agents take responsibility for customer care. Juzakėnienė advised contacting your travel organiser if flights are disrupted. She also recommended consulting insurance providers before purchasing coverage, as policies vary in what incidents they cover.
Before booking, Juzakėnė advised consulting a travel advisor to understand how such situations would be handled. She also warned that whether travel insurance covers such incidents depends on the policy, as terms vary between providers.
“Passengers should contact their insurance company and check the compensation terms before purchasing a policy,” she says.
For independent travellers, she recommends buying tickets with airlines that guarantee coverage for the entire journey – from departure to final destination – especially when connecting flights are involved.
“When booking accommodation, pay attention to booking and cancellation conditions. Some hotels offer special deals, but payments are usually non-refundable if the guest does not show up,” Juzakėnė adds.
Choose morning or midday flights
Although compensation is not due for disruptions caused by meteorological balloons or drones, airlines are still required to look after passengers, providing food and drinks, and if delays are extended, accommodation and transport to it.
Inga Aukštuolytė, head of communications and marketing at Tez Tour, notes that recent incidents have created significant challenges and costs for both passengers and tour operators.
“For those planning trips in the near future, we advise choosing morning or midday flights. It is also wise to carry essential items, some cash for emergencies, and necessary medications to minimise inconvenience if luggage is delayed.
Finally, follow updates from airports and tour operators and be prepared for unforeseen events. Make sure your documents include the correct phone number. If you receive information about a changed flight time while on holiday, contact representatives to confirm the exact transport arrangements to the airport,” she advised.
