By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay says he's less than optimistic about the immediate future of American Airlines in St. Louis.
The Mayor and Missouri Governor Bob Holden traveled to American's headquarters in Dallas Friday to meet with American CEO Gerard Arpey. Slay says the airline chief was not specific on plans for the St. Louis hub.
American is making cuts throughout the country, and the Mayor expects an announcement on the impact to St. Louis within weeks.
"Whatever the announcement is, coming in the near future, we as a region will be able to handle it," Slay said. "We'll be able to manage it in a way that's going to maximize Lambert's potential, and be a positive for the future of this region."
Airport Director Leonard Griggs says expansion plans at Lambert will still move ahead.