Air Canada has appointed Anko Van der Werff as its upcoming president and CEO, succeeding Michael Rousseau, who retired from the company after 19 years. Van der Werff, the current president and CEO of Scandinavian Airlines, will assume his new position in January. Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity, Van der Werff stated his commitment to leading the iconic Canadian airline towards its goals and strategies.
Prior to his current role, Van der Werff held the position of CEO at Avianca, a South American airline, and served in various senior roles at Aeromexico, Qatar Airways, and KLM. His experience also includes board memberships in international aviation and business organizations.
Rousseau’s retirement came after a controversy involving an English-only condolence statement following a tragic collision at New York’s LaGuardia airport, resulting in the death of both pilots of Air Canada Express Flight 8646. The incident sparked criticism from French-speaking Canadians, prompting Rousseau to address the issue with regret. Despite his efforts to improve his French proficiency, Rousseau acknowledged his limitations in expressing himself adequately in French.
The selection of Van der Werff followed an extensive global search by Air Canada, which included proficiency in French as one of the key criteria. Hailing from the Netherlands, Van der Werff is fluent in Dutch and can communicate in French. He is also proficient in English and has acquired skills in Spanish, Italian, and Swedish during his career.
Reflecting the importance of bilingualism in Canada, Van der Werff emphasized the airline’s responsibility to serve Canadians in both official languages. Air Canada’s website features a bilingual message from Van der Werff, underscoring the airline’s commitment to language inclusivity.