Aviation executive Anko Van der Werff will take over as the new president and chief executive officer of Air Canada in the new year, the airline announced Wednesday morning.
The search for a new leader was months in the making, following widespread backlash to the previous CEO's English-only statement after a plane crash in New York City in March, which left two Canadian pilots dead.
Van der Werff, who is currently President and CEO of SAS Scandinavian Airlines, meets Air Canada's criteria for a new leader, including the ability to speak French, as well as proficiency in other languages.
He will join Air Canada by the end of January 2027, bringing with him more than 25 years of international airline leadership experience, including senior roles across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
"Our Board of Directors was impressed by the quality of experienced executives from around the world who expressed interest in the role," Air Canada board chair Vagn Sorensen said in a statement.
"We are delighted to have attracted and recruited an executive of Mr. Van der Werff's stature to lead Air Canada," Sorensen added.
Van der Werff will relocate to Montreal, where the headquarters of the airline is located, and will work closely with Air Canada's talented executive team and all employees to fulfil the company's commitments to shareholders and customers.
The previous CEO, Michael Rousseau, will retire from Air Canada on August 31 after 19 years with the company, following intense backlash over his inability to speak French.
Rousseau only spoke in English in a video message a day after the March 22 tragedy that killed pilots Antoine Forest and Mackenzie Gunther, prompting calls for a bilingual successor.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said at the time that it was "essential that the next CEO of Air Canada is bilingual," and Quebec Premier Francois Legault welcomed Rousseau's decision to step down, saying Air Canada "must ensure that the next CEO speaks French."
Van der Werff expressed his honour at being chosen to lead the iconic Canadian company, saying he looks forward to working with Air Canada's executive team and employees to build on the company's award-winning employee culture and customer value proposition.
