The number of passengers using public transport in Latvia continued to rise in the first three quarters of 2025, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSP), LSM reports. Land transport carried a total of 143.4 million passengers in nine months, which was 1.1% more than a year earlier. The number of passengers using…
Lithuania’s Interior Ministry has proposed declaring a nationwide state-level emergency in response to an increased incursion of smuggler balloons from neighbouring Belarus into Lithuanian airspace, BNS reports. The government is expected to decide on the proposal next week. According to the Interior Ministry, altogether 599 smuggler balloons and 197 drones have entered Lithuanian airspace so…
The presidents of the three Baltic States met in the Latvian capital, Riga, on 4 December 2025 for their annual pre-Christmas meeting, LSM and BNS reported. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said that key issues discussed included defence and security, border protection, and support for Ukraine. He emphasised that “if you look at the map, the…
Recent Belarusian actions against Lithuania “could be recognised as terrorism,” Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene stated, BNS reports. She was referring to the launch of smuggler balloons from Belarus into Lithuanian airspace and the detention of Lithuanian trucks in Belarus. The actions endangered aviation security and violated international law, Ruginiene noted, saying that she was…
Estonia’s Tallinn Airport will expand its passenger terminal by building around 16,500 m2 of new premises, BNS reports. In addition, the airport will reconstruct over 18,000 m2 of existing areas in the terminal. After the expansion, the passenger terminal’s total floor area will reach 52,500 m2, ERR reports. The airport’s current terminal was designed to…
The Lithuanian government may declare an emergency due to the growing security threat posed by smuggler balloons launched from neighbouring Belarus, Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic announced, BNS reports. He said that the government was assessing the impact on public safety and border security and was considering several options. Earlier, MEP Aurelijus Veryga, chairman of the…
The EU is preparing new sanctions against Belarus, following repeated incursions of smuggler balloons from Belarus into Lithuania, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced, BNS reports. Earlier, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys urged the EU not to allow the Belarusian regime to blackmail and escape its international isolation and have sanctions lifted, ELTA…
International rating agency Fitch Ratings has downgraded the long-term issuer default rating of Latvia’s national air carrier, airBaltic, from B-/Negative to CCC+, indicating “significant risks” for creditors, LETA reports. Fitch also downgraded airBaltic’s senior secured long-term notes worth EUR 380mn from B- to CCC+. The agency noted that airBaltic’s level of indebtedness was higher and financial…
Lithuania has lifted flight restrictions after disruptions caused by smuggler balloons from neighbouring Belarus, BNS reports. Saulius Batavicius, CEO of air navigation provider Oro Navigacija, said that around 60 balloons were detected during the shutdown, practically blocking access to Vilnius International Airport. The airport was shut down for almost 11 hours. Batavicius noted that the…