Air Canada appoints SAS Scandinavian Airlines president as new CEO

Air Canada announced the appointment of Anko van der Werff, the current CEO of the Scandinavian airline SAS, as its new CEO, succeeding Michael Rousseau, in a move that ends months of anticipation regarding the leadership of Canada's largest airline.

Van der Werff is expected to take up his new position by the end of January 2027, after leaving his current position at SAS, where he has led the company since 2021 during a challenging phase that included extensive restructuring and efforts to restore operational and financial stability.

The appointment comes after Rousseau announced last March his intention to retire, ending a career spanning nearly 19 years within Air Canada, including years in senior management before becoming CEO.

Van der Werff has extensive experience in the international aviation sector, having previously worked at major companies including KLM, Air France-KLM, Qatar Airways, and Aeroméxico, and he also led Avianca before moving to SAS.

Air Canada views the appointment as a choice of a manager with experience in restructuring and operational transformation, expertise that may be important for a company facing multiple challenges including competition, operating costs, passenger experience, fleet investment, as well as pressures related to services and public commitments in the Canadian market.

The new position carries special sensitivity within Canada, as Air Canada is not just a commercial airline but a major national carrier subject to significant political and regulatory attention, especially regarding services in both official languages and the relationship with passengers across various provinces.

Air Canada’s leadership faced criticism in recent months after a condolence message was issued in English only following a tragic incident, which brought the French language issue back to the forefront and sparked a broader discussion about the company’s responsibilities in an officially bilingual country.

Although van der Werff has extensive international experience and speaks several languages, his ability to navigate the Canadian environment, including the linguistic and political dimensions, will be among the issues closely monitored in the coming period.

Meanwhile, SAS will begin searching for a new CEO to succeed van der Werff, as the Scandinavian company continues to implement its plans following restructuring and moves into a new phase of investment and expansion.

This leadership change represents an important phase in Air Canada’s history, as the company transitions to new management at a time when the aviation sector needs a careful balance between commercial growth, financial discipline, service improvement, and maintaining public trust in one of the most present companies in the daily lives of Canadians.