An alert that temporarily closed Vilnius International Airport on September 13 and prompted at least one NATO fighter launch did not involve a drone after all. Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Centre said the radar signature was ultimately identified as a flock of birds.
A precautionary airport closure
Vilnius suspended takeoffs and landings after an unidentified object was detected in the airspace. A yellow alert was issued for Vilnius and nearby districts while authorities investigated.
NATO fighter provides visual identification
At least one NATO fighter was launched from Šiauliai Air Base, where Italian aircraft are currently supporting Baltic air policing. The pilot visually identified the object as a group of birds.
Lithuanian authorities said bird flocks and drones can produce similar radar signatures during initial detection, explaining why the incident triggered an aviation-security response.
Airport reopens after 38 minutes
The alert was lifted and Vilnius Airport reopened after about 38 minutes. Normal traffic then resumed.
Why it matters
The incident occurred amid heightened regional vigilance after several genuine drone incursions in recent weeks. It shows how quickly airports and military authorities may respond before the nature of a radar contact is confirmed. Because birds and drones can initially produce similar signatures, visual or technical verification is essential before attributing intent or escalating the response.
Sources
Lithuanian National Crisis Management Centre; Lithuanian Airports; Reuters; BNS.
Related: Brussels Airport detects drone for second evening, a separate case where drone activity affected operations.
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