Lithuania shuts Vilnius airport over drone alert: defence ministry

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Vilnius: Lithuanian authorities temporarily shut down Vilnius International Airport following a security alert triggered by an unauthorized drone detection near the runway airspace, according to the country's defence ministry.

The state aviation administration immediately suspended all incoming and outgoing flights as a precautionary measure to guarantee passenger safety and secure the perimeter.

The disruption occurred during peak morning transit hours, forcing multiple commercial airliners to divert to alternate regional airfields or remain on the tarmac.

Airport security personnel and local law enforcement agencies quickly launched a coordinated search operation to locate the drone operator and neutralise the potential aerial threat.

Aviation operations resumed later in the day after thorough military and police sweeps confirmed the restricted airspace was entirely clear of interference.

The defense ministry has initiated a formal investigation into the security breach, emphasizing that strict legal penalties will be imposed on any individuals who violate drone exclusion zones around critical national transport infrastructure.