SAS CEO Anko van der Werff to lead Air Canada starting early 2027

Anko van der Werff, the Dutch CEO of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), has notified the SAS board that he will leave his role in early 2027 to take over as CEO of Air Canada. Van der Werff's departure comes as Air Canada's current CEO, Michael Rousseau, prepares to retire at the end of August 2026 after nearly 20 years with the airline. During the transition period, Air Canada's executive committee will oversee operations until van der Werff officially begins his tenure.

Van der Werff joined SAS in 2021 amid significant financial and strategic challenges for the Nordic carrier. Since then, he has spearheaded transformative changes including a major financial restructuring. Notably, the airline's shareholder base shifted with Air France-KLM and investment firm Castlelake becoming key investors. In a strategic move under his leadership, SAS left the founding Star Alliance group to join SkyTeam, enhancing its global partnerships and market reach.

On the product front, van der Werff reintroduced business class on European routes, seeking to enhance customer experience and cater to premium travelers. He also laid strategic groundwork for SAS’s fleet modernization, emphasizing the need to renew the airline’s aircraft to improve efficiency and competitiveness in the market.

Under van der Werff's direction, SAS recently announced the largest aircraft order in its history at a high-profile media event held in Copenhagen. The order includes up to 40 widebody Airbus A330 family jets aimed at boosting SAS's long-haul capabilities and capacity. This substantial investment aligns with the airline's growth and modernization strategy moving forward.

Prior to the A330 order, in July 2025, van der Werff committed to acquiring up to 55 Embraer E195-E2 regional jets to enhance SAS’s short-to-medium haul fleet. These acquisitions represent a comprehensive approach to fleet renewal encompassing both regional and long-haul aircraft.

At Air Canada, van der Werff will replace Michael Rousseau, who steps down after an extensive career with the carrier. Rousseau will assist with the leadership transition and remain available as a resource to van der Werff. Rousseau faced controversy in March 2026 concerning his response to a Jazz flight crash, which sparked discussion about adherence to Canada’s bilingualism policies.

The leadership change at Air Canada comes as the carrier looks to build on its recovery and growth amid challenges in the North American market. Van der Werff’s multi-airline executive experience, including roles at Avianca, Aeroméxico, Qatar Airways, and KLM, positions him to navigate the competitive environment and optimize Air Canada’s network and operations.

Van der Werff’s move marks a significant change for SAS as the airline prepares to transition leadership after a period of deep strategic realignment. His successor at SAS will likely inherit an airline with a renewed capital structure, an evolving alliance footprint, and an ambitious fleet development plan shaped under his guidance.