Air Canada names Anko Van der Werff, the chief executive of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), as its next chief executive. The Montreal-based airline says Van der Werff will succeed current CEO Michael Rousseau. Rousseau is scheduled to retire at the end of August, and Van der Werff is set to join Air Canada’s board of directors by the end of January 2027 before taking over the top role later. One report notes that he will remain in his current SAS role until his departure in early 2027.
Several outlets describe Van der Werff’s background at SAS, presenting him as an experienced airline executive moving to lead Canada’s largest carrier. Skift also highlights language skills, noting that Van der Werff speaks French in addition to other languages, a point raised in contrast to Rousseau’s reported inability to speak French. Other coverage places the appointment within the broader context of Air Canada’s operational and financial challenges, including a major fleet expansion and impacts from higher jet fuel costs and weaker travel demand.
