An estimated €50,000 worth of jewellery was stolen in an armed robbery on two men outside the airport departure lounge early yesterday morning, during which a warning shot was fired.

Police sources said the two men were a director and employee of Vascas, the renowned chain of jewellers.

The 46-year-old from Balzan and 49-year-old from Naxxar were about to enter departures at 6 a.m. when they were accosted by two hooded men who stormed out of a van.

The robbers fired a warning shot and snatched a briefcase containing the jewellery from one of the men. They then fled to the van, in which another man was waiting.

The vehicle had been reported stolen and was later found burnt in St Nicholas Street in Kirkop.

The sources said the two men travelled regularly and were planning to declare the jewellery and its value prior to leaving Malta as they usually did. Police investigators are using the airport closed circuit television footage to try to identify the men behind this “well-planned” ­robbery.