Air Canada president and CEO Michael Rousseau will retire from the carrier by the end of the third quarter of 2026, the carrier's board of directors announced Monday.
Rousseau, who has been the airline's top leader since 2021, has agreed to remain available as needed "to ensure a seamless and smooth transition," according to the airline.
The announcement comes days after calls for Rousseau's resignation for not speaking in French as well as in English in a condolence video about the recent fatal Air Canada crash with a fire truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport. Both pilots on that flight died, and 41 people, including passengers, crew and occupants of the truck, were hospitalized. Rousseau subsequently apologized for speaking only in English in the video.
Work has been underway for more than two years on an internal succession plan, according to Air Canada. An external global search also started in January 2026. "The Board will consider a number of performance criteria in assessing candidates including the ability to communicate in French."