The CEO of US Airways predicted that American Airline’s creditors will support his plan for a merger, but said he may not still be interested after American comes out of bankruptcy protection.

Doug Parker runs US Airways Group Inc. and has been vocal about wanting to merge with American. He said on Wednesday that a merger while American is still in Chapter 11 is better because the bankruptcy code makes it easier to get rid of planes that the combined airline doesn’t want, and to renegotiate airport leases and other contracts.