Air Canada has selected Anko van der Werff, currently chief executive of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), as its next president and CEO, effective by the end of January 2027. The appointment follows a global search that included a requirement for French-language proficiency, reflecting the carrier's Canadian identity and regulatory environment.
Van der Werff will succeed Michael Rousseau, who is retiring after 19 years at the airline. Rousseau will remain in his role until 31 August 2026 and assist with the transition. During the interim period, Air Canada's executive committee will report directly to the board of directors.
International pedigree
Van der Werff brings a broad international aviation background. Before leading SAS, he held senior roles at Avianca Group, Aeroméxico, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Qatar Airways. He also served on the board of governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) until June 2026.
Vagn Sørensen, chair of Air Canada's board, expressed confidence in van der Werff's ability to drive growth and transformation. "Anko's extensive international experience and proven leadership in complex airline environments make him the ideal choice to lead Air Canada into its next chapter," Sørensen said.
Van der Werff said: "Air Canada is a globally recognised airline leader. It is an honour to be chosen to lead this iconic Canadian company as it advances its ambitions and strategy." He added that he looks forward to working with the executive team and employees to deliver on commitments to shareholders and customers.
The appointment comes as Air Canada continues to expand its network. The carrier recently announced plans to launch Toronto–Ponta Delgada flights in June 2026, adding a new transatlantic route to the Azores. That move aligns with broader efforts to grow leisure and VFR traffic from Canada to Southern Europe.
Industry observers note that van der Werff's experience across multiple continents will be valuable as Air Canada navigates competitive pressures from both full-service and low-cost carriers on transborder and international routes. His tenure at SAS involved restructuring and repositioning the Scandinavian carrier in a challenging market.
Air Canada also faces opportunities tied to major events. The carrier is expected to benefit from increased travel demand around the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Tour operators such as Gold Medal have already launched campaigns tied to the event, targeting USA and Canada travel packages.
On the tourism development front, initiatives like Rendezvous Canada 2026 aim to generate over $100 million in tourism sales for the Canadian industry, and Air Canada's leadership transition will be closely watched by destination marketers and travel trade partners.
Van der Werff will also join Air Canada's board of directors upon taking the CEO role. The airline has not indicated any immediate changes to its strategic direction or fleet plans.
