Air Canada CEO to retire after condolence-video controversy [View all]

Source: BBC

The CEO of Air Canada will retire later this year, after being criticised for failing to speak French in a condolence video following last week's fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport that killed two of the airline's pilots.

Michael Rousseau informed the airline that he will be stepping down by the end of the company's third quarter, Air Canada said in a statement on Monday. Rousseau had faced calls to resign after delivering his condolences in English only. One of the pilots who died, Antoine Forest, was from French-speaking Quebec.

He later apologised and said he was unable to express himself "adequately" in French - an official language in Canada - despite taking lessons over the years.

Announcing his retirement, Rousseau said: "It has been my great honour to work with the dedicated and talented people of Air Canada and to represent our outstanding organisation. "I look forward to supporting our company during this important transition period."

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgme8xy2rl1o