Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, March 30, 2026 — 


Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau to Retire Amid Criticism

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau announced he will retire by the end of the third quarter of the year. The announcement comes after criticism over an English-only condolence message following a fatal crash involving two pilots, one of them a French-speaking Quebecer, that occurred at LaGuardia Airport in New York.

The airline, headquartered in Montreal and Canada’s largest, faces scrutiny for its lack of bilingualism in leadership. Federal and provincial officials have remarked that the next CEO should speak French.


“I am proud of what we have accomplished during my time here, and I am confident that the airline will continue to thrive in the future,” Rousseau said.


Rousseau’s decision to retire was announced amid growing pressure on the airline to improve its bilingualism and representation of French-speaking Canadians in leadership positions.

The fatal crash at LaGuardia Airport has raised questions about Air Canada’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly in its leadership. The airline has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, including the English-only condolence message.

Air Canada has not provided further details on the selection process for the next CEO or the criteria for the position. The company has stated that it will continue to operate as usual while searching for a suitable replacement for Rousseau.

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, providing scheduled and charter air service to over 200 destinations worldwide.




Story summarized from the original created by Jayme Berezdivin on wsvn.com, see more information here.

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