Airline Veteran to Step Down Amid Succession Process

Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau has informed the board of his intention to retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026. Rousseau, who has led the airline for nearly two decades, will remain in his role and on the board until a successor is in place. The airline has been developing an internal pipeline of senior executives and launching an external search, with fluency in French being a key consideration. Board chair Vagn Sorensen praised Rousseau’s track record, highlighting the airline’s improved financial footing and customer-focused initiatives. Rousseau cited his experience chairing the Star Alliance CEO board and serving on the IATA board as career highlights. The succession process is already underway, with Air Canada aiming to find a replacement who can build on Rousseau’s legacy.