Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials HomeNewsAirlinesSAS CEO is likely Air Canada boss after crash video debacleAir Canada’s new leader appointment will follow a challenging year for the airlineAuthor of the article:Last updated 21 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.The next Air Canada CEO will have to win over investors, with the stock price is still only half of what it was before the COVID pandemic. Photo by ANDREJ IVANOV/AFP via Getty ImagesSAS AB chief executive Anko van der Werff is emerging as a frontrunner to lead Air Canada, according to people familiar with the matter, succeeding Michael Rousseau, who said in March he’d leave after a public outcry over the his omission to speak French in a corporate video.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorVan der Werff has led the Scandinavian airline for about five years, helping the carrier emerge from bankruptcy and restoring operations after the pandemic. He also led the Colombian airline Avianca between 2019 and 2021, and held senior roles at Grupo Aeromexico, Qatar Airways and Air France-KLM. Anko van der Werff Photographer: Erika Gerdemark/BloombergRousseau faced public criticism, including from the federal government, in the wake of a video he recorded following an aircraft accident that killed two Air Canada pilots at LaGuardia Airport in New York. In the video, Rousseau spoke almost entirely in English, sparking outrage in French-speaking Quebec. The airline, based in the Montreal region, is legally required to provide services in both official languages.Breaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againAir Canada and van der Werff did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while SAS declined to comment. The people cautioned that a decision isn’t final and that the airline’s board might pick somebody else.A Dutch national, Van der Werff speaks Dutch, English and Spanish, and has a basic understanding of Italian, Swedish and French, according to a 2021 release from the airline. SAS is partially owned by Air France-KLM, and the company just announced major investment in its fleet upgrade this week with new Airbus SE widebody jets.Air Canada’s new leader appointment will follow a challenging year for the airline. The company suspended its financial outlook in May amid soaring jet fuel prices due to the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The next CEO will also have to win over investors — the stock price is still only half of what it was before the COVID pandemic.On the positive side, the airline is in the process of modernizing its fleet, and introduced a new cabin design for its aircraft in June.—With assistance from Leen Al-Rashdan. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.