Lithuanian Airports (LTOU), the state-owned operator of the country’s airports, has announced plans to take legal action over damage caused by smuggling balloons crossing from Belarus, in a bid to hold those responsible to account.
“Active consultations are under way on possible legal measures to protect the interests of those affected and to ensure accountability for illegal actions that disrupted flights and caused inconvenience to thousands of passengers,” said Vidas Ksanas, head of safety and security at LTOU.
Transport and Communications Minister Juras Taminskas said Lithuania would seek the “strictest accountability” for those behind the incidents.
“We must make it clear that any hostile or criminal attempts to disrupt our airspace will not be tolerated,” he said. “Lithuania’s response will be firm and decisive.”
According to Ksanas, both Vilnius and Kaunas Airports suffered direct and indirect losses after airspace closures prompted by balloons entering from Belarus.
The total cost of the disruption is still being assessed, but LTOU said the damage was “significant” to the state, passengers, airports, airlines and other partners.
Ksanas added that such incidents harm Lithuania’s reputation, inconvenience passengers and generate extra costs.
Last week, Vilnius Airport was closed four times and Kaunas Airport once, after weather balloons believed to be used for cigarette smuggling were detected in Lithuanian airspace.
In response, the Lithuanian government has closed border crossings with Belarus, with limited exceptions, and is seeking new European Commission sanctions against Minsk.
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