British air traffic controllers will defy European strikes by continuing to work.

Nats Holdings announced that while its counterparts on the continent will be staging walkouts on January 29th and 30th, both its UK centres and all control towers will remain fully operational.

The action is in protest against the European Commission's Single European Sky policy, which is hoped to consolidate air traffic controllers throughout the continent. It is being organised by two transport unions, the Air Traffic Controllers European Unions Coordination (ATCEUC) and the European Transport Workers' Federation.

Nats chief executive Richard Deakin said: "If the strikes go ahead we will work closely, as ever, with Eurocontrol and other European air navigation services to help keep people moving whenever possible."

Strike action was previously called for on October 10th last year, with ATCEUC demanding a 'Day of Action'. This was postponed after further talks were promised. The union claims the negotiations were a fraud and that the new proposals put forward by the commission were unrealistic.