airBaltic Adjusts Vilnius Flight Schedules Due to Smuggling Balloon Disruptions
The Latvian airline airBaltic will advance the departure times of two flights from Vilnius Airport starting November 20, responding to recent disruptions caused by smuggling balloons crossing from Belarus.
Schedule Changes and Reasons
“In view of the recent disruptions caused by the temporary closure of Lithuanian airspace, airBaltic has decided to adjust the schedule of two flights,” airline spokesperson Edvards Dalderis told BNS on Wednesday. The adjustments aim to minimize operational risks and maintain safe, reliable service.
- Flights from Krakow will now arrive in Vilnius at 17:40 instead of after midnight.
- Flights from Munich will land at 18:55 instead of 22:15.
Dalderis emphasized that the changes will have minimal impact on passengers, as flights will still operate on their usual days.
Impact on Flights and Air Traffic Control Comments
airBaltic reported that around 20 of its flights have been affected recently by restrictions in Lithuanian airspace.
Saulius Batavičius, CEO of Oro Navigacija, the state-owned air traffic control provider, stated airlines are not considering suspending flights from Vilnius Airport despite the disruptions.
Airport Operation Interruptions
In the past two weeks, operations at Vilnius Airport have been suspended five times and once at Kaunas Airport due to the presence of weather balloons used by smugglers to transport cigarettes from Belarus.
“In view of the recent disruptions caused by the temporary closure of Lithuanian airspace, airBaltic has decided to adjust the schedule of two flights.” – Edvards Dalderis, airBaltic spokesperson
Author's summary: airBaltic shifts Vilnius flight times starting November 20 to avoid disruptions caused by smuggling balloons, ensuring safer and more reliable operations with minimal passenger impact.