Wow: SAS CEO Anko Van Der Werff Quits, Will Become Next Air Canada CEO
Air Canada has appointed Scandinavian Airlines CEO Anko van der Werff as its new leader following pressure over language requirements.
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The brief
Air Canada has selected Anko van der Werff, the current head of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), to serve as its new CEO. Van der Werff will be leaving his position at SAS to take on the role.
Coverage from Reuters, Bloomberg, and The New York Times emphasizes that van der Werff is French-speaking. The New York Times notes that this selection follows a period of language-related backlash.
Future developments involve the transition of leadership at both Air Canada and SAS.
Synthesized by Archynetys from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 38m ago.
Quick answers
Who is the new CEO of Air Canada?
Anko van der Werff, who previously served as the head of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).
Why is van der Werff's ability to speak French significant?
According to The New York Times, his appointment as a French speaker follows language backlash.
Which airlines are affected by this leadership change?
Air Canada and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).
Coverage (5)
- Talking Points for July 9, 2026 The Boston Globe · 19h ago
- Air Canada picks French-speaking top boss of Scandinavian Airlines as CEO Reuters · 19h ago
- Air Canada Picks SAS Head as Its New CEO Bloomberg.com · 19h ago
- Air Canada Chooses Anko van der Werff, Who Speaks French, as CEO After Language Backlash The New York Times · 19h ago
- Wow: SAS CEO Anko Van Der Werff Quits, Will Become Next Air Canada CEO One Mile at a Time · 19h ago
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