European Union – Air transport. Article 5(3) of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, read in the light of recital 14 thereof, had to be interpreted as meaning that damage to an aircraft tyre caused by a foreign object, such as loose debris, lying on an airport runway fell within the notion of 'extraordinary circumstances' within the meaning of that provision. The Court of Justice of the European Union so held in a preliminary ruling in proceedings concerning the refusal by an air carrier to compensate a passenger for a long delay to his flight.