It is an honour to be chosen to lead this iconic Canadian company as it advances its ambitions and strategy, builds on its award-winning employee culture and customer value proposition, and prepares for an even brighter future," said Van der Werff.
The incoming CEO, a native of the Netherlands, noted his capability to communicate in French, which is a key legal and operational requirement for the Montreal-headquartered carrier.
"I look forward to working closely with Air Canada’s talented executive team and with all employees to fulfil our commitments to shareholders and customers.
I am excited about relocating to Montréal and eager to get started," said Van der Werff.
"Like many Dutch people of my generation, I was fortunate enough to learn French in school, and I spent some time in France with my parents, especially my mom," he added.
Van der Werff emphasized his awareness of the bilingual landscape in his new role, according to an internal corporate message reported by Bloomberg News.
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"I understand the importance of being able to communicate in French here in Canada," he said.
