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Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau has announced to step down from his role by the end of third quarter this year. The announcement comes as the CEO faced backlash for expressing condolence in English and not in French, after a fatal plane crash at New York’s LaGuardia Airport earlier this month.
For those unaware, French is Canada’s second official language. Rousseau’s English-only condolence led to widespread outrage in Quebec, where the provincial legislature voted in favor of a motion calling for him to exit the company. The CEO later issued an apology for the same.In a latest, Air Canada released an official statement where it said that Rousseau has informed the Board that he will retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026, after nearly two decades of strong and dedicated leadership that has reinforced Air Canada’s place as a leader in the airline industry domestically and globally. He will “continue to lead the company and to serve on its Board until that time,” the statement read.
Here’s what Air Canada said in its official statement
The Board of Directors of Air Canada today announced that Michael Rousseau has informed the Board that he will retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026, after nearly two decades of strong and dedicated leadership that has reinforced Air Canada’s place as a leader in the airline industry domestically and globally. Mr. Rousseau will continue to lead the company and to serve on its Board until that time.The Board has had a longstanding focus on CEO succession planning. Consistent with this priority, work has been underway for more than two years on a comprehensive internal development program for high potential executives. An external global search was also commenced in January 2026 to identify potential additional candidates with the skills, and experience to lead Canada’s national airline, proudly headquartered in Montréal, Québec. The Board will consider a number of performance criteria in assessing candidates including the ability to communicate in French. Mr. Rousseau has agreed to remain available as needed to ensure a seamless and smooth transition.“On behalf of the entire Board, I want to thank Mike for his many contributions to Air Canada as he progressed from Chief Financial Officer to Deputy CEO and then to CEO and Board member. We are grateful for the determined leadership he has provided not only in steering our company through the 2007-2008 financial crisis, COVID and other challenges, but also in capturing opportunities such as the acquisition of Aeroplan, in restoring the solvency of our pension plans and in advancing customer centricity and employee well-being priorities,” said Vagn Sørensen, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Our upcoming AGM will allow us to further recognize his achievements which include a legacy of financial strength,” he added.“It has been my great honour to work with the dedicated and talented people of Air Canada and to represent our outstanding organization, including as chair of the Star Alliance chief executive board and on the board of directors of the International Air Transport Association,” said Mr. Rousseau. “I look forward to supporting our company during this important transition period.”The Board is assisted in these initiatives by leading global organizational consulting firms Egon Zehnder and Korn Ferry.
English (US) ·