Anko van der Werff leaves SAS to become new chief executive of Air Canada

The announcement comes as SAS is in a new phase following its restructuring, with new principal owners, membership of SkyTeam and a record aircraft order under its belt.

Van der Werff took up the role of chief executive of SAS in the summer of 2021, in the midst of the company’s deep financial crisis. Under his leadership, the US Chapter 11 process was carried out, which resulted in the previous principal owners largely being bought out and a new ownership consortium, led by Air France-KLM, Castlelake, Lind Invest and the Danish state, taking over the company.

At the same time, SAS left Star Alliance after nearly three decades and instead joined SkyTeam, where the partnership with Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines is central.

Earlier this summer, SAS also presented its largest aircraft investment ever - an order for up to 40 Airbus A330neo aircraft, a clear signal of the company’s ambitions in the long-haul market.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Anko for his strong leadership during a very demanding transition period. He has played a central role in building a stronger and more competitive SAS,” says chairman Kåre Schultz.

Anko van der Werff will remain as chief executive until the beginning of 2027 to ensure an orderly handover. The board has now begun the recruitment of his successor.

- This has not been an easy decision. Over the past few years, we have together come through a very challenging period and made significant progress in strengthening the company. SAS is now well positioned for the next phase of its development, says Anko van der Werff.

For SAS, the change of chief executive means that yet another chapter is coming to an end after the extensive transformation of recent years. The big question now is who will be given the task of leading the company in the next phase - where the focus is expected to be on deepening the cooperation with Air France-KLM and SkyTeam, integrating the new long-haul aircraft and at the same time strengthening profitability in an increasingly competitive European aviation market.