Mayor Emanuel to Meet With Airline Executives on Monday

By Soyoung Kwak in News on Oct 1, 2011 4:00PM

If you weren't sure whether or not Rahm Emanuel is serious about making hardcore changes as Mayor of Chicago, this news might help you make a decision. Yesterday, Mayor Emanuel announced that he asked for a meeting with all major airline executives to see how Chicago could maintain a competitive edge in the airline industry.

Even though Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is the third busiest airport in the world and home to United Airlines, Boeing, and Orbitz.com (seriously), it is not enough for Emanuel:

"I do not want to just sit on that lead. I want to build it," Emanuel told the newspaper. "So I asked for this conference. The CEOs of all the major carriers are coming, as well as the Aviation Department, which is hosting it, to discuss what are the steps necessary, so Chicago doesn't have leadership, but what does it take to keep that lead."

So, what exactly does Emanuel want? He'll will be seeking advice on what improvements can be made in infrastructure and other ways the airline industry in Chicago could remain on the front lines in the aviation market. Although it seems almost anything is up for discussion on Monday, it does not seem likely that the mayor will discuss Mayor Daley's old plan to privatize Midway Airport.