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SAS CEO Anko van der Werff to Join Air Canada in 2027

July 8, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Anko van der Werff to leave SAS for Air Canada in 2027.
Van der Werff to become new CEO of Air Canada.
He led SAS through major restructuring and fleet renewal.
Air Canada's current CEO Michael Rousseau to retire in August 2026.

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Strategic Implications

This leadership change may signal a new era for Air Canada, as van der Werff's experience in transforming SAS could bring similar changes to the Canadian carrier. His appointment suggests a focus on strategic renewal and fleet modernization, which could impact Air Canada's competitive positioning in the North American market.

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What Happened

Transformational Leader Leaves Scandinavian Airline for Canadian Flag Carrier

Anko van der Werff, the CEO of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), will step down from his role in early 2027 to become the new CEO of Air Canada. During his tenure at SAS, van der Werff led the airline through a major restructuring, including a change in its capital structure and a switch from Star Alliance to SkyTeam. He also oversaw significant fleet renewal efforts, including the recent order for up to 40 A330 family jets. Van der Werff will replace Michael Rousseau, who is set to retire in August 2026, and will be tasked with leading Air Canada’s future growth and development. This move was first reported by AeroTime.

Source | Originally Published: July 8, 2026

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