Scandinavian Airlines Chief Executive Anko van der Werff Emerges as Leading Candidate for Air Canada CEO Position

Air Canada is reportedly nearing a decision on its next chief executive officer, with Anko van der Werff, the current head of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), emerging as the primary frontrunner to lead the flag carrier. The search for a new leader follows the recent announcement that Michael Rousseau would be stepping down from the role, ending a tenure marked by significant operational challenges and persistent controversy regarding his linguistic capabilities. According to reports from Bloomberg, the selection committee is prioritizing a candidate capable of navigating complex financial restructuring and cultural integration, though the potential appointment of van der Werff has already sparked internal and external debate regarding the airline’s commitment to its Montreal roots and bilingual requirements.

The transition comes at a critical juncture for Air Canada. The airline has struggled to regain its pre-pandemic market valuation, with shares currently trading at approximately 50% of their 2019 levels. While the global aviation industry has seen a robust recovery in passenger demand, Air Canada has faced a series of setbacks, including high-profile operational accidents and a perceived lack of visibility from its outgoing leadership. The board of directors is now faced with a fundamental choice: promote from within to maintain continuity or bring in a "turnaround specialist" from the international stage to overhaul the carrier’s strategic direction.

The Tenure and Departure of Michael Rousseau

Michael Rousseau’s departure from Air Canada follows a period of mounting pressure from both shareholders and the Canadian government. Rousseau, who took over as CEO in February 2021 after serving as the airline’s Chief Financial Officer, inherited a company decimated by COVID-19 travel restrictions. However, his leadership was quickly overshadowed by a series of PR crises that alienated the carrier’s base in Quebec.

The most notable incident occurred in late 2021, when Rousseau delivered a 26-minute speech almost entirely in English to the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. Following the speech, he told reporters that despite living in Montreal for nearly 15 years, he had not found the time to learn French and did not believe it was necessary for his role. The comments triggered a national firestorm, drawing condemnation from Quebec Premier François Legault and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The incident highlighted a perceived disconnect between the airline’s executive suite and its legal and cultural obligations under the Official Languages Act, which mandates that Air Canada—the only private company in Canada subject to such rules—provide services and leadership that respect the country’s bilingual nature.

Beyond the linguistic controversy, Rousseau’s tenure was marked by what industry analysts described as a "low-visibility" leadership style. Unlike his predecessor, Calin Rovinescu, who was a frequent and vocal advocate for the airline in the media and in Ottawa, Rousseau often remained in the background. This perceived lack of engagement became more problematic following a June 2024 incident at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, where an Air Canada aircraft collided with a fire truck on the runway. The accident, while resulting in no fatalities, renewed scrutiny of the airline’s safety protocols and executive oversight.

Anko van der Werff: A Profile in Crisis Management

If appointed, Anko van der Werff would bring a vastly different leadership profile to Air Canada. A Dutch national with an extensive background in international aviation, van der Werff has built a reputation as a specialist in managing airlines through periods of extreme turbulence and structural change.

Van der Werff has served as the CEO of SAS since 2021, a period during which the airline underwent a comprehensive transformation. Under his leadership, SAS navigated a complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection process in the United States, successfully reducing its debt burden and streamlining its fleet. Perhaps most significantly, van der Werff oversaw the airline’s controversial but necessary shift in global alliances. As part of a rescue deal involving Air France-KLM, SAS announced its departure from the Star Alliance—of which it was a founding member—to join SkyTeam. This move required a massive logistical and strategic pivot, demonstrating van der Werff’s ability to execute radical changes under pressure.

Prior to his role at SAS, van der Werff served as the CEO of Avianca, the Colombian flag carrier. There, he similarly led the airline through a bankruptcy restructuring triggered by the pandemic. His career also includes executive roles at Aeromexico, Qatar Airways, and the Air France-KLM Group. His proponents argue that this global perspective is exactly what Air Canada needs to revitalize its brand and improve its financial standing. However, his lack of experience in the North American regulatory environment and his specific linguistic profile remain points of contention.

The Linguistic Challenge and the Montreal Identity

The most significant hurdle for van der Werff’s potential appointment is the same issue that plagued his predecessor: the French language. Air Canada is headquartered in Montreal, and its corporate identity is deeply tied to its status as a bilingual institution. When the airline announced it was seeking a new CEO, the board explicitly stated that the ability to communicate in French would be a key performance criterion for the candidate.

Van der Werff is a polyglot, fluent in English, Dutch, and Spanish. However, his current proficiency in French is reportedly basic. For a company still reeling from the Rousseau "French debacle," hiring another CEO who cannot fluently address the Quebec public could be seen as a provocation. Political observers in Quebec have already signaled that the appointment of a non-Francophone outsider would be met with significant resistance from the provincial government and language advocacy groups.

The board must weigh van der Werff’s proven track record in financial turnarounds against the political risk of further alienating the Quebec market. There is a possibility that van der Werff, known for his adaptability, could commit to an intensive language immersion program—a step Rousseau notably failed to take until it was too late to salvage his public image.

Internal Alternatives: The "Two Marks"

The news of van der Werff’s candidacy has also raised questions about the status of internal successors. For several years, industry insiders have pointed to two key executives as the natural heirs to the CEO position: Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President of Revenue and Network Planning, and Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Digital.

• Mark Galardo: Often credited as the architect of Air Canada’s post-pandemic network recovery, Galardo has been instrumental in optimizing the airline’s route structures and maximizing revenue during a period of volatile fuel prices and shifting demand.
• Mark Nasr: Nasr has overseen the successful relaunch of the Aeroplan loyalty program and the airline’s digital transformation. He is viewed as a modern, tech-savvy leader who understands the evolving needs of the contemporary traveler.

Both executives are seen as highly competent and are well-regarded within the company. Unlike an external hire, they possess an intimate understanding of Air Canada’s unique corporate culture and the complexities of the Canadian labor and regulatory landscape. The decision to look outside the company for a CEO may suggest that the board believes a more fundamental "culture shock" or financial overhaul is required—one that internal candidates might be too close to the existing system to implement effectively.

Financial Performance and Market Pressures

The urgency of the CEO search is underscored by Air Canada’s financial performance. While the airline reported a return to profitability in 2023, its stock price has remained stagnant. Investors have expressed concerns over the airline’s rising labor costs, particularly following a significant new contract with its pilots, and its suspended financial guidance.

Comparatively, major U.S. carriers like Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have seen more aggressive recoveries in their share prices. Air Canada’s board is under pressure to deliver a strategy that not only maintains operational stability but also drives shareholder value. The "van der Werff approach"—characterized by aggressive cost-cutting, debt restructuring, and strategic realignments—may be what the board believes is necessary to "un-trap" the company’s value. However, such a strategy often comes at the cost of labor relations and customer service, areas where Air Canada has already faced criticism.

Timeline and Next Steps

The search process is currently in its final stages. The board’s selection committee is expected to present a final recommendation to the full board in the coming weeks. If van der Werff is selected, he will face an immediate trial by fire: managing the transition while simultaneously addressing the concerns of a skeptical Quebec public and a restless workforce.

Should the negotiations with van der Werff stall—potentially over the linguistic requirements or the terms of his exit from SAS—the board may pivot back to its internal candidates or look toward other international executives with experience in the North American market.

Implications for the Global Aviation Landscape

The potential move of Anko van der Werff from SAS to Air Canada would have ripple effects across the industry. It would leave a leadership vacuum at SAS just as the airline begins its integration into the SkyTeam alliance and its new partnership with Air France-KLM. Furthermore, it would signal a trend of "CEO poaching" in the aviation sector, as airlines compete for a limited pool of executives capable of navigating the post-pandemic era’s unique challenges.

For Air Canada, the choice of its next CEO will define the airline for the next decade. Whether it chooses a battle-tested international turnaround specialist or a homegrown leader intimately familiar with the Canadian landscape, the decision will be a litmus test for the airline’s ability to balance global competitiveness with its unique national responsibilities. As the industry watches closely, the "Montreal-based" carrier stands at a crossroads, seeking a leader who can finally speak the language of both its shareholders and its citizens.