Air Canada Appoints Bilingual Aviation Veteran as New Chief Executive
Montreal, Wednesday, 8 July 2026.
Air Canada has appointed Scandinavian Airlines chief Anko Van der Werff as CEO, securing a French-speaking leader following intense public backlash over his predecessor’s language skills.
A Planned Leadership Transition
On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Air Canada (TSX: AC) officially announced the appointment of Dutch national Anko Van der Werff as its next President and Chief Executive Officer [1][3][5]. Van der Werff, a 54-year-old aviation executive, is scheduled to formally assume his new leadership role and join the company’s Board of Directors by the end of January 2027 [1][3][4]. He succeeds Michael Rousseau, whose retirement becomes effective on August 31, 2026, bringing an end to his 19-year tenure with the Montreal-based carrier [1][2][3]. Having joined the airline in 2007 [2][3], Rousseau’s departure marks a significant leadership transition for Canada’s largest airline [2].
Interim Management Structure
The executive transition comes at a critical juncture for Canada’s flagship carrier [GPT]. To bridge the gap between Rousseau’s departure at the end of August 2026 and Van der Werff’s arrival in January 2027, Air Canada has established an interim governance structure [1][3]. During this interim transition period, which is set to run from September 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027 [3], the airline’s Executive Committee will report directly to the Board of Directors [1][3]. Rousseau has also agreed to remain available as needed throughout this transition to ensure a seamless leadership handoff [1].
Navigating Language and Regulatory Mandates
One of the most critical criteria in Air Canada’s global executive search was bilingual proficiency [3]. The airline, headquartered in Montreal, is legally required to operate bilingually in English and French under Canadian regulations [3][5]. This requirement became a focal point of public and political scrutiny in spring 2026, when Rousseau faced severe backlash for failing to use French in a statement following a fatal accident that killed two pilots [2][5]. Consequently, the global search committee mandated that any incoming chief executive possess the ability to communicate fluently in both official languages [2][3].
A Global Track Record in Aviation
Van der Werff’s demonstrated ability to communicate in French successfully addressed these regulatory and stakeholder requirements [2][3]. Beyond his linguistic capabilities, the incoming CEO brings a highly regarded 25-year track record in international aviation [1][3]. His extensive career spans executive roles at several major global carriers, including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Qatar Airways, Aeroméxico, Avianca Group, and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) [1][3][5]. Until June 2026, Van der Werff also served on the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Board of Governors, further cementing his status within global aviation leadership [3].
Restructuring Expertise for Operational Challenges
Van der Werff transitions to Air Canada after serving as the President and CEO of Scandinavian Airlines [1][3]. During his tenure at SAS, which is reported as five years by some European industry sources [5] [alert! ‘Source 5 states Van der Werff served five years at SAS, while Source 4 states he was appointed in 2022, indicating a four-year tenure by 2026’], he successfully navigated the carrier through a complex restructuring process under U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection [4]. This restructuring culminated in SAS emerging with a renewed cost structure and securing a strategic alliance with a consortium that includes Air France-KLM [4].
Steering Through Corporate Reorganizations
This experience in high-stakes corporate turnarounds is highly relevant, as Van der Werff previously led Colombian carrier Avianca Group through a similar Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring between May 2019 and November 2021 [4]. Under his leadership, Avianca emerged from bankruptcy and eventually merged with Brazil’s GOL to form the Abra Group [4]. This specialized expertise in managing high labor-cost markets and complex corporate reorganizations will be vital as Air Canada addresses its own operational challenges, including capacity adjustments, rising operating costs, and ongoing labor disputes with pilot unions [4][5].
Modernizing a Global Fleet
As a founding member of the Star Alliance, Air Canada currently operates a robust fleet of more than 190 aircraft, including Airbus A220-300s, Airbus A330-300s, Boeing 777-300ERs, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, and Boeing 737 MAX 8s [4]. However, the airline is currently grappling with delivery delays for new aircraft, specifically the Airbus A350-1000 [5]. Managing these capital-intensive fleet delays while maintaining disciplined capital allocation will be one of the immediate strategic priorities on Van der Werff’s agenda when he takes office [1][5].
Strategic Growth and Future Outlook
The incoming CEO is no stranger to large-scale fleet modernization and procurement negotiations [GPT]. During his recent tenure at SAS in Copenhagen, Van der Werff finalized a major order for 18 Airbus A330-900 aircraft [5]. His ability to balance fleet growth with financial discipline aligns with the expectations of Air Canada’s Board of Directors, who expressed strong confidence in his capacity to drive value-creating growth and transformation for shareholders and customers alike [1].