AMR Corp., American Airline's parent company wants to eliminate about 13,000 jobs as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. It is unknown how many of those layoffs might come at O'Hare. AMR Corp., based in Forth Worth, Texas, employs 9,900 people in the Chicago region and 88,000 nationwide. AMR Corp. declared bankruptcy in November.

Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino said in a statement that American assured her, "that any immediate or long-term impacts will be very minimal to Chicago."

Union representatives of airline employees sounded less assured. Laura Glading, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, called the proposed layoffs "an absolute outrage," according to Crain's Chicago Business. And, according to Crain's, Transport Workers Association President James Little said, "We're going to fight this."