"The infrastructure and systems of 'Eleftherios Venizelos' airport remained in full operational readiness these last 3 days, during which exceptionally adverse weather conditions prevailed. On Saturday, January 5th, 2002, 145 flights took place carrying 10,700 passengers, whereas yesterday, Sunday, January 6th, 61 flights took place, transporting 4,500 passengers. For today, we have 471 scheduled flights, and, so far, 170 flights of these have already taken place, which indicates that the flow is reverting to normal levels". This is what the Chief Executive Officer of the Athens International Airport, Dr. Matthias Mitscherlich, stated early this afternoon, in connection with the way 'Eleftherios Venizelos" airport coped with the adverse weather of the last few days. As a major problem, Dr. Mitscherlich referred to the complicated aircraft de-icing procedure, pointing out that the equipment, the necessary material, as well as the personnel required, constitute the exclusive responsibility and contractual obligation of the airlines and the groundhandlers. "Additionally", added Dr. Mitscherlich, "the inability of staff, including airlines' crews, to come to work, has been a great problem". In relation to the airport's communication with the public through the airport call center, Dr. Mitscherlich underlined that 'Eleftherios Venizelos' call center receiver over 10,000 calls within 24 hours, of which 7,000 were answered. Regarding the airport's equipment for use in adverse weather conditions, the Chief Executive Officer of Athens International Airport stated that full advantage was ceaselessly taken of the airport's equipment and specialized staff, which allowed the runway to remain in operational readiness for landing and take off. "The intensive efforts made by the airport's staff to serve the travelling public are praiseworthy", stressed Dr. Mitscherlich, "enabling the uninterrupted operation of the airport".