Air Canada names new chief executive

Air Canada said on July 8 that Anko Van der Werff will become its next president and chief executive officer and join the board by the end of January 2027, replacing Michael Rousseau. The carrier said Van der Werff is currently president and CEO of Scandinavian Airlines, known as SAS, and will take over after Rousseau’s planned retirement. Board Chair Vagn Sørensen said the company had reviewed candidates from around the world before selecting Van der Werff. Air Canada announced Rousseau’s retirement on March 30, saying he would leave by the end of the third quarter of 2026 after nearly two decades with the airline. ### Who is Air Canada bringing in from SAS? Anko Van der Werff is the sitting chief executive of Scandinavian Airlines and previously held senior roles at Avianca and Aeromexico, according to Air Canada’s announcement. The airline said he will become both president and CEO and a member of Air Canada’s board when he takes the post. (aircanada.com) Vagn Sørensen said Air Canada was “delighted” to recruit an executive of Van der Werff’s stature after what he described as broad interest in the role. Air Canada said Van der Werff would lead the company as it continues work on its strategy and long-term plans. ### When does Michael Rousseau leave, and what did the company say then? (aircanada.com) March 30 was the date Air Canada disclosed Rousseau’s retirement, saying he had informed the board he would step down by the end of the third quarter of 2026. The company said at the time that a search process was underway to identify its next leader. (aircanada.com) Michael Rousseau had been with Air Canada for nearly 19 years, the company said in its July 8 statement. Air Canada did not describe the succession as a dismissal; it said Rousseau had previously announced his retirement. ### Why is Rousseau’s exit drawing attention beyond a normal succession? (aircanada.com) CBC reported on July 8 that Van der Werff’s appointment followed Rousseau’s departure after criticism over his handling of French-language issues. CBC said the board viewed the change as a way to restore public confidence and address tensions around bilingualism. (aircanada.com) Premier François Legault said in March that Rousseau should resign after an English-only message of condolence following the crash of Flight 8646 in New York, CBC reported. CBC also reported that the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages had received more than 2,000 complaints over Rousseau’s statement. (cbc.ca) The language issue had trailed Rousseau before 2026. In 2021, he apologized after saying he had been able to live in Montreal for 14 years without needing to speak French, and later committed to improving his French, CBC reported. In 2022, the federal official languages commissioner said complaints about that episode were justified, according to CBC. (cbc.ca) ### What has Van der Werff said about taking the job? Anko Van der Werff said in Air Canada’s release that it was “an honour” to be chosen to lead the company. He said the airline had “a very bright future” and cited its people, brand and network. Air Canada did not, in the release announcing his appointment, set out any separate public statement from Van der Werff on bilingualism or Quebec. (cbc.ca) The company’s announcement focused on his appointment, his background and the timing of the transition. ### What happens next in the handover? (aircanada.com) The end of the third quarter of 2026 is the deadline Air Canada gave for Rousseau’s retirement, while the end of January 2027 is the deadline it gave for Van der Werff to assume the top job. The company said Van der Werff will also join the board as part of that transition. (aircanada.com) Air Canada’s next public milestones are likely to come through its investor relations site and newsroom, where it posted both Rousseau’s retirement announcement and Van der Werff’s appointment. The carrier said July 8 that Van der Werff will take over by the end of January 2027. (investors.aircanada.com) (aircanada.com)