Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart arrives at the tribunal at Les Cotils. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0903572)

AIRLINES were warned that the firefighters’ industrial action could close the airport for up to 10 days, it emerged yesterday.

Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart said that if that had happened, the airline would have lost up to £1m.

‘I was horrified that it could be considered and not planned for,’ he said.

The threat of losing £1m. came at a time last year when Aurigny had its £6m. loan to recapitalise turned down by the States.

Mr Hart said he met Chief Minister Lyndon Trott and told him that the situation needed ‘strong leadership’.

‘I felt that this was a major crisis.’

On the bank holiday stoppage on Monday 25 May, Mr Hart was called to the airport by one of his staff, who informed him of the industrial action.

‘The airport management was emasculated by having little or no influence over the terms and conditions of their staff,’ he said.

• Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.