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Air Canada names SAS head Anko Van der Werff as next CEO
Air Canada said the global search weighed French-language ability as Van der Werff prepares to replace Michael Rousseau after 19 years with the airline.
- On July 8, 2026, Air Canada announced that Anko Van der Werff, President and Chief Executive Officer of SAS Scandinavian Airlines, will assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer and join the board by the end of January 2027.
- Outgoing Chief Executive Officer Michael Rousseau will retire effective August 31, 2026, after 19 years with the airline; the executive committee will report directly to the Board of Directors during the transition period.
- Van der Werff brings over 25 years of international aviation experience, having held senior leadership roles at SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Avianca Group, Aeromexico, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Qatar Airways across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
- The incoming executive said he was "mindful of the importance of serving Canadians in both official languages," directly addressing past criticism regarding Rousseau's English-only message after the LaGuardia Airport incident.
- Vagn Sorensen, Chair of the Board, said directors "were impressed by the quality of experienced executives from around the world," while Van der Werff expressed excitement about relocating to Montreal and working with the airline's team.
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Le Journal de MontrealReposted by 
Le Journal de Quebec
Le Journal de QuebecAir Canada announced its next President and CEO on Wednesday.
·Montreal, Canada
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SAS CEO Anko van der Werff is leaving the company for Air Canada after five years and in the midst of several crucial changes. DN's Jonas Fröberg answers questions.
·Stockholm, Sweden
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SAS CEO Anko van der Werff to join Air Canada in 2027
Anko van der Werff, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), has informed the airline’s board that he will step down from his current role in early 2027 to become the new CEO of Air Canada. The Dutch executive, who previously held senior executive positions at Avianca, Aeroméxico, Qatar Airways and KLM, took up the top executive role at SAS in 2021, at a time in which the Scandinavian carrier was facing numerous financial a…
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Total News Sources57
Leaning Left11Leaning Right11Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution35% Center
Bias Distribution
- 35% of the sources are Center
35% Center
L 33%
C 35%
R 32%
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