Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau to Step Down, Board Launches Search for Successor

Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau to Retire by Third Quarter

Air Canada announced on 30 March that President and CEO Michael Rousseau will retire from the role by the third quarter of this year. A comprehensive process is underway to identify the next leader. The board's statement praised Rousseau's nearly two decades of strong and dedicated leadership, which has reinforced Air Canada's place as a leader in the airline industry domestically and globally.

Rousseau will continue to lead the company and serve on its Board until his retirement. In a statement, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work at Air Canada, citing it as a "great honour" to serve as chair of the Star Alliance chief executive board and on the board of directors of the International Air Transport Association. He also stated that he looks forward to supporting the company during this important transition period.

Chair of the Board of Directors Vagn Sørensen thanked Rousseau for his contributions to the company, praising his leadership and accomplishments over the years.

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Air Canada's Chair of the Board of Directors, Vagn Sørensen, thanked Rousseau for his contributions to the company, praising his leadership and accomplishments over the years. Sørensen highlighted Rousseau's progression from Chief Financial Officer to Deputy CEO and then to CEO and Board member, and noted that he has provided determined leadership in steering the company through the 2007-2008 financial crisis, COVID, and other challenges.

Rousseau has been embroiled in controversy over his English-only condolence message following the deadly crash in New York earlier this month.

Rousseau has been embroiled in controversy over his English-only condolence message following the deadly crash in New York earlier this month. The crash killed two pilots, including Antoine Forest, a French-speaking Quebecer. Rousseau's lack of French proficiency has been criticized, with Prime Minister Mark Carney commenting that the English-only message showed a lack of compassion and judgment. Quebec's premier and others have also called on the airline executive to resign.

Rousseau's lack of French proficiency is not the first time he has faced criticism.

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Rousseau's lack of French proficiency is not the first time he has faced criticism. He has previously been criticized for not speaking French and instead using French subtitles for videos. The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages received hundreds of complaints about it.

Air Canada's management team

Part of Air Canada's management team, Michael Rousseau was appointed President and CEO in February 2021. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer since January 2019. Rousseau has added oversight over several significant corporate initiatives and businesses, including Air Canada Rouge, to his continuing responsibilities for the airline's overall financial strategic direction and related functions since 2007 when he became Executive VP and CFO.

Air Canada's search for a new CEO

According to the board's statement, it has had a longstanding focus on CEO succession planning and has been working on a comprehensive internal development program for high potential executives for over two years. The company has also commenced an external global search in January 2026 to identify potential additional candidates with the skills and experience to lead Canada's national airline.

The board added that it will consider a number of performance criteria in assessing candidates, including the ability to communicate in French. Air Canada has enlisted global organizational consulting firms Egon Zehnder and Korn Ferry for these initiatives.