• Michael Rousseau, CEO of Air Canada, will retire by the end of the third quarter.
• The decision follows backlash over his English-only condolence message after a fatal crash.
• Critics, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, emphasized the importance of bilingualism in Canada.
• Rousseau apologized for his French language skills, stating he continues to work on them.
• His retirement accelerates Air Canada’s search for a bilingual successor.

Air Canada announced that CEO Michael Rousseau will retire by the end of the third quarter, following significant criticism over his English-only condolence message after a fatal runway collision at LaGuardia Airport. The crash resulted in the tragic deaths of two pilots, including Antoine Forest from French-speaking Quebec, which heightened the sensitivity surrounding language use in the country, according to BBC, LA Times, and Indiatimes.

The apology was closely scrutinized after Rousseau delivered his initial condolence message almost entirely in English, only including French subtitles. This led to widespread criticism, with Prime Minister Mark Carney labeling it a demonstration of poor judgment and lack of compassion towards victims’ families, as noted by CBS News and Reuters.

Rousseau expressed his sorrow in a statement, affirming he was "deeply saddened" that his limited French “has diverted attention from the profound grief of the families,” highlighting his ongoing efforts to improve his language skills, according to Indiatimes and Le Monde.

Air Canada, which operates under Canada's Official Languages Act requiring bilingual services, will prioritize finding a successor who can communicate fluently in both official languages. This shift is crucial in a region where language remains a politically sensitive issue, especially in predominantly French-speaking Quebec, as reiterated by BBC and LA Times.