Air Canada's CEO, Michael Rousseau, has announced his resignation following a public backlash over a video statement addressing the LaGuardia Airport crash. The crash, which occurred last week, resulted in the deaths of two people. Both the pilot and co-pilot were killed when an Air Canada passenger plane collided with a Port Authority fire truck, causing significant damage to the CRJ-900 aircraft.

The airline's board of directors has stated that Rousseau will retire by the end of September 2026, bringing an end to his nearly two-decade tenure as CEO. He will continue to lead the company and serve on its board until his departure. The video statement released by Rousseau after the crash was criticized for its lack of French language, despite Canada having two official languages.

Critics, including Quebec lawmakers, were unimpressed with Rousseau's apology, which followed his initial statement. They had called for his resignation, and a motion to that effect was unanimously passed last week. Air Canada has assured that a succession plan has been in place for over two years to find a suitable replacement.

The airline has stated that a comprehensive internal development program has been underway to identify high-potential executives, while an external global search was commenced in January 2026 to identify additional candidates.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take

Michael Rousseau's resignation is a direct result of his failure to meet the language requirements of his position as Air Canada's CEO. The fact that he will be retiring by the end of September 2026 is a clear indication that the airline's board of directors is taking the criticism seriously. However, the question remains whether this resignation will be enough to restore public trust in the airline. The incident highlights the importance of language inclusivity in official communications, especially in a country with two official languages. The airline's assurance of a comprehensive succession plan is a welcome move, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to prevent similar incidents in the future.