Request for a preliminary ruling from the Tribunal Judicial da Comarca dos Açores (Portugal) lodged on 4 November 2020 — NM, NR, BA, XN, FA v Sata Air Açores — Sociedade Açoriana de Transportes Aéreos, SA

(Case C-578/20)

(2021/C 28/42)

Language of the case: Portuguese

Referring court

Tribunal Judicial da Comarca dos Açores

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicants: NM, NR, BA, XN, FA

Defendant: Sata Air Açores — Sociedade Açoriana de Transportes Aéreos, SA

Question referred

Must a strike by an airline’s aircraft maintenance staff be deemed to constitute an extraordinary circumstance within the meaning of Article 5(3) of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (1) when the airline has held meetings and negotiations in an unsuccessful attempt to avert the strike?

(1)  Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights, and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 295/91 — Commission Statement (OJ 2004 L 46, p. 1).