VILNIUS, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Vilnius Airport temporarily halted operations Thursday evening due to a reported threat from weather balloons, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) reported.
According to Lithuanian aviation authorities, air traffic was suspended shortly after 20:00 local time, with airspace restrictions in place until 23:10.
Over the last week, operations at Vilnius Airport were halted four times for the same reason, while Kaunas Airport was closed once.
Lithuania decided on Wednesday to close the country's border with Belarus for one month, while allowing certain exceptions.
The Salcininkai and Medininkai checkpoints have been closed since last Sunday evening due to weather balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes entering Lithuanian airspace.
Lithuania's airports were closed three times last weekend due to balloons, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers. ■
