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 for discussions likely to include the massive modernization project at O’Hare International Airport.

U.S. Airways CEO Doug Parker has spoken with Emanuel and is working on setting up a meeting in person, airline spokeswoman Liz Landau said. Parker met Wednesday in Washington with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, who stressed the need to keep the O’Hare project on track despite the merger and suggested the meeting with Emanuel.