Monday Air Canada Board of Directors announced the retirement of President and Chief Executive Officers Michael Rousseau.

The news comes a week after he came under fire when he read an English-only message of condolence after the crash of Flight 8646 in New York that claimed the lives of the pilot and copilot.

In a news release the Board said an external global search had also commenced in January 2026 to identify potential additional candidates with the skills, and experience to lead the airline.

The Board thanked Rousseau for not only guiding the company through the 2007-2008 financial crisis, as well as COVID in addition to capturing opportunities such as the acquisition of Aeroplan while restoring the solvency of the company’s pension plans.