Air Canada New CEO: SAS Chief Anko van der Werff Tapped to Lead Carrier

Air Canada has named Anko van der Werff, president and CEO of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), as its next president and chief executive officer. Van der Werff is expected to join the company and its Board of Directors by the end of January 2027, according to an official corporate release. He succeeds Michael Rousseau, who will retire Aug. 31, 2026, after 19 years with the carrier.

Strategic Leadership Shift

The appointment follows a period of heightened scrutiny for outgoing leadership. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and CBC, Rousseau drew sharp criticism over a condolence video released in English only following a fatal collision at New York's LaGuardia Airport. Industry analysts view the leadership change as an effort to rebuild public trust, noting that van der Werff — a Dutch national — is fluent in French, a significant asset given Canada's bilingualism requirements. During the interim period from Sept. 1, 2026, until van der Werff's arrival, Air Canada's Executive Committee will report directly to the Board of Directors.

Global Industry Implications

Van der Werff brings deep experience in corporate restructuring, having guided SAS through bankruptcy and a complex post-pandemic recovery — expertise that aligns with Air Canada's ongoing international expansion and fleet optimization. His career spans leadership roles at Avianca, Aeroméxico and Qatar Airways, establishing him as a specialist in large-scale airline turnarounds. As van der Werff prepares to move to Montreal, SAS has launched a search for his successor to ensure continuity across its Northern European network.