Air Canada has appointed Anko Van der Werff, the current head of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), as its new CEO, marking the end of Michael Rousseau's 19-year tenure at the airline.The announcement, made on July 8, 2026, concludes a leadership search following Rousseau's decision to retire in March 2026.Van der Werff, who is part-owned by Air France-KLM, will join Air Canada by the end of January 2027.

The transition comes after Rousseau faced criticism earlier in 2026 for failing to offer condolences in French following a pilot crash, a controversy that highlighted tensions around language policy in Canada.

The appointment underscores Air Canada's strategic shift toward international expertise, with SAS, a major European carrier, now leading the airline's direction.

This move also signals the end of an era for Rousseau, whose leadership was marked by both operational challenges and public scrutiny over cultural and linguistic issues.

The airline emphasized that Van der Werff's experience in managing a diverse workforce and navigating regulatory environments will be critical for Air Canada's future growth.

The transition is expected to streamline operations and position the airline for global expansion, though challenges remain in balancing profitability with stakeholder expectations.