US Airways CEO agrees to meet Emanuel

CHICAGO (AP) — The executive who will lead the new American Airlines after its merger with U.S. Airways has agreed to meet with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Their discussions will likely include the massive modernization project at O'Hare International Airport.

U.S. Airways spokeswoman Liz Landau says CEO Doug Parker has spoken with Emanuel and is working on setting up a meeting in person.

Parker met Wednesday with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, who suggested the meeting with Emanuel.

Durbin has called on the airlines to keep the O'Hare project on track despite the merger.

Most of the work involves reconfiguring and adding runways to expand capacity and reduce delays.

American and United airlines have been key players in the project. But they have balked at the cost and necessity of more upgrades.