The CEO of Air Canada has apologised after he was criticised for not speaking French in a condolence video message he released after a collision at LaGuardia airport that killed two pilots.
In a statement on Thursday, Michael Rousseau said he was deeply saddened that his inability to speak French "diverted attention" from the pilots' grieving families and Air Canada staff.
Rousseau said he is unable to express himself "adequately" in French - an official language in Canada, despite taking lessons over the years.
He has faced calls to resign for failing to deliver his condolences in both English and French. One of the pilots who died - Antoine Forest - is French Canadian.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Rousseau's English-only message showed "a lack of compassion", while Quebec's Premier François Legault said he believed Rousseau should step down if he is unable to speak French.
