Air Canada said on March 30 that CEO Michael Rousseau will retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026, formally framing the move as part of a planned succession process already underway within the company.
The airline stated that it has been preparing leadership candidates internally for more than two years while also launching an external search in January, with French-language proficiency among the criteria for the next chief executive.
Rousseau, 68, will remain in his role until his departure and is expected to support the transition. He has led Air Canada since 2021 after nearly two decades with the company, including as chief financial officer and deputy CEO.
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The announcement comes days after Rousseau faced intense criticism over his response to a fatal accident involving an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 at New York LaGuardia Airport on March 22. The collision with a fire truck destroyed the cockpit, killing both pilots and injuring dozens of passengers.
In the immediate aftermath, Rousseau issued a video statement only in English, prompting backlash in Canada, where both English and French are official languages. He later apologized, but the episode triggered political and public pressure.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the response showed poor judgment and stressed that the leader of the country’s flag carrier must be fully bilingual. He welcomed the leadership change, adding that companies such as Air Canada have a responsibility to communicate in both official languages at all times.
The issue carries particular weight in Quebec, the French-speaking province where Air Canada is headquartered. Lawmakers in the provincial legislature had called for Rousseau’s resignation, arguing that the lack of a French response demonstrated disregard for the language.
Air Canada maintained that the succession process had been structured in advance, but acknowledged that communication skills, including fluency in French, will be a key factor in selecting the next CEO.
Board chair Vagn Sørensen credited Rousseau with steering the airline through major challenges, including the COVID-19 crisis, and strengthening its financial position.
