SAS has announced that President and CEO Anko van der Werff will leave the airline at the beginning of 2027 after accepting the role of CEO at Air Canada. The Board of Directors said van der Werff will remain in post until his departure, ensuring leadership stability while the airline continues to deliver on its strategic priorities, maintain reliable operations and provide a high-quality experience for customers, employees and stakeholders.
The Board has begun the process of identifying his successor, while stressing that SAS will continue to follow its existing strategy without disruption.
Van der Werff joined SAS in 2021 and has overseen one of the most significant periods of change in the airline’s history. Under his leadership, the carrier completed a comprehensive restructuring programme, strengthened its financial position and improved operational performance. SAS said its sustained focus on reliability has helped it become the world’s most punctual airline.
The company has also invested heavily in improving the customer experience, both on board and across its wider service offering. Continued investment in products, digital connectivity and fleet renewal has been a key part of that strategy. Most recently, SAS announced a record order for up to 40 Airbus wide-body aircraft, marking the largest fleet investment in the airline’s history and underlining its long-term commitment to operational excellence and dependable service.
Another major milestone during van der Werff’s tenure was SAS joining the SkyTeam alliance, a move that has expanded the airline’s global reach, strengthened partnerships with international carriers and improved connectivity for passengers.
Looking ahead, SAS said its priorities remain unchanged. The airline will continue to deepen cooperation with SkyTeam partners, strengthen operational excellence, enhance reliability and deliver a consistent, high-quality travel experience across its network. The company said it remains fully focused on executing its long-term strategy and building on the progress achieved over the past several years as it prepares for a smooth leadership transition in early 2027.
