The decision over whether airlines should be forced to provide financial protection to passengers in the event of a failure has been postponed until later today.
The European Parliament, which was due to vote yesterday, had still not decided when Parliament closed last night and discussions are continuing this morning.
The vote is expected to take place later today instead.
Members will decide whether airlines should join travel agents and tour operators by offering financial protection to their customers in case of companies failing.
They will also decide whether airlines should be legally obliged to provide air fares inclusive of taxes, fees and charges and be prevented from discriminating access to fares throughout Europe.
The ECTAA, the European body that represents travel agents and tour operators in 29 European countries, said 50 airlines went bankrupt in the between 2000 and 2005, leaving more than 63,000 passengers stranded abroad without a return ticket.
By Bev Fearis
