Minister Taminskas Appeals to ICAO and the European Commission Regarding Civil Aviation Disruptions by Smuggling Balloons
Amid repeated airspace violations and disruptions to civil aviation caused by unauthorised smuggling balloons used for contraband from the territory of Belarus, Juras Taminskas, Minister of Transport and Communications of Lithuania, has officially appealed to the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Juan Carlos Salazar, and the European Commission’s Director-General for Mobility and Transport DG MOVE Magda Kopczyńska.
In its appeal to the ICAO, the Ministry calls upon the Organisation to evaluate the matter within the framework of the Chicago Convention, including consideration of appropriate measures or guidance to prevent such unlawful and hazardous activities that pose a threat to civil aviation safety and disrupt international air transport operations.
In its appeal to the Director-General of DG MOVE, the Ministry calls for this issue to be brought to the attention of the relevant EU and international aviation safety bodies, and for the exploration of possible EU-level measures to address and prevent such provocations against the Union’s external border states.
“These appeals send a clear signal to the International Civil Aviation Organization and the European Commission that immediate action is needed to ensure the safety of the European Union’s airspace and civil aviation – and, above all, the safety of passengers,” said Minister Taminskas.
In response to the influx of smuggling balloons from Belarus, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and other EU leaders this week expressed solidarity with Lithuania, describing Belarus’s actions as a hybrid threat. Lithuania supports the call by the President of the European Commission to accelerate the Eastern Flank Watch and European Drone Defence initiatives. This is also emphasised in the appeals.
Over the past month alone, Lithuania’s airspace has been violated on several occasions – during the nights of 4–5, 22–23, 24–27 and 30 October. In total, more than 190 flights and around 30,000 passengers were affected. Airlines, passengers, ground handling companies and airports collectively incurred losses exceeding hundreds of thousands of euros.
Last updated: 03-11-2025
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