• Thoughtfully designed essentials across all cabins help customers arrive rested and refreshed on international flights
• New bedding includes plush Signature Class duvets and six-foot blankets for customers in Premium Economy and Economy Class on international flights
• Signature Class amenity kits feature high-performance hydration products from Sahajan, a Canadian, award-winning, female-founded skincare company
• Reusable amenity kits developed with Canadian hospitality partner Hunter Amenities

MONTRÉAL, July 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Air Canada is introducing a new collection of premium bedding and thoughtfully designed amenities to elevate rest and comfort for customers on international flights.

Launching across all cabins beginning this month, the collection includes upgraded Signature Class duvets and pillows, generously sized blankets in Premium Economy and Economy Class, and new amenity kits developed in partnership with leading Canadian brands.

The collection represents the latest investment in Air Canada’s end-to-end Glowing Hearted experience, helping customers relax during their flight and arrive ready to make the most of their journey, whether they are travelling for business, reconnecting with family or beginning a long-awaited vacation.

“From the generously sized Premium Economy and Economy Class blanket that keeps you comfortable from shoulders to feet, to our new plush Signature Class duvets, every element introduced as part of this launch was thoughtfully chosen to help customers settle in, relax and rest throughout their journey,” said Jacqueline Harkness, Managing Director, Products & Services at Air Canada. “We’ve spent meaningful time with our customers, getting their perspective on what would make a flight more relaxing and restful. Then we went to work investing in high-quality products that deliver the very best that leading Canadian partners have to offer.”

Designed in Canada for Comfort Beyond the Flight

Air Canada partnered with leading Canadian hospitality partner Hunter Amenities to develop, manufacture and source the new amenity kits, combining comfort and functionality with thoughtful, reusable design.

“Working closely with Air Canada, we designed every component – from the drawstring bag to the eye mask and socks – to be used well beyond the flight, bringing added purpose to high-quality travel essentials for customers,” said John Hunter, Founder at Hunter Amenities.

Furthering its commitment to championing Canadian brands, Air Canada also partnered with Sahajan, an award-winning, female-founded skincare company.

New Signature Class amenity kits will feature Sahajan’s “Lip Karma,” a nourishing lip balm with castor and argan oils for lasting moisture, and “The Hand Remedy,” a rich, fast-absorbing cream that provides immediate relief and a non-greasy barrier for dry hands.

Both products are manufactured by Hunter Amenities at its facility in Burlington, Ontario.

“With cabin humidity often 10 to 20 per cent, air travel can quickly dehydrate the skin, especially the delicate skin on our hands and lips,” said Lisa Mattam, Founder and CEO of Sahajan. “We’re proud to partner with Air Canada to bring Sahajan’s blend of clinical science and time-tested Ayurvedic wisdom to their amenities program, sharing our natural wellness products with Air Canada’s customers on international routes”

New In-flight Comfort Essentials

Beginning in July, customers travelling on international flights can expect the following:

Economy and Premium Economy Bedding:

• A new cozy blanket made from high-quality polar fleece.
• Measuring six feet, the new generously sized blanket is designed to provide comfortable, full-body coverage for customers of all heights.

Premium Economy Amenity Kit:

• A soft neoprene eye mask with a contoured nose bridge to improve comfort and block light.
• High-quality 3M earplugs made from soft, hypoallergenic polyurethane foam with a noise reduction rating of 32 decibels.
• Knitted cabin socks.
• An antimicrobial bamboo toothbrush with Colgate toothpaste.

Air Canada Signature Class Bedding and Amenity Kit:

• An upgraded, 145 gsm duvet designed to offering increased softness, warmth, and superior comfort.
• A new pillow featuring a 16.5 oz AirFlow fill for optimized breathability and support.

Air Canada Signature Class Amenity Kit:

• A best-in-class eye mask that is soft, weightless and adjustable, precision-shaped to completely block out light and maximize comfort.
• Sahajan’s science-backed Lip Karma balm and The Hand Remedy cream for in-flight hydration.
• High-quality 3M earplugs made from soft, hypoallergenic polyurethane foam with a noise reduction rating 32 decibels.
• Quintessentially Canadian striped knitted cabin socks, made with 70 per cent cotton for warmth and comfort at high altitudes.
• An antimicrobial bamboo toothbrush with Colgate toothpaste and dental floss.
• The amenity kit is made in Canada and presented in a recycled cotton drawstring bag designed to be reused on future journeys.

Developed in close collaboration with Canadian partners, the bedding and amenity kit collection brings greater comfort, thoughtful functionality, and a distinctly Canadian touch to the international travel experience. For more information on Air Canada’s new in-flight amenities and details by cabin, visit aircanada.com/ArriveRefreshed.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of more than 50 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers a selection of vacation and Flight & Hotel packages, tours, cruises, car rentals, excursions, and a variety of activities and experiences. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada’s TCFD disclosure. 

• World of Hyatt and Aeroplan are touching down with exciting new benefits for members to earn, convert and redeem points across both programs when they link their accounts.
• Aeroplan Elite Status Members and eligible Premium Credit Cardholders can now access exclusive benefits and fast-track their way to World of Hyatt Elite status.
• Members can now link their Aeroplan and World of Hyatt accounts to unlock new benefits, adding more rewards to their journey from the runway to the room key.
  

MONTRÉAL, July 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Air Canada’s Aeroplan and World of Hyatt announced today a collaboration that will give members more ways to earn and redeem rewards across travel experiences. Bringing together two of the travel industry’s beloved loyalty programs, the collaboration expands member benefits across a combined network of more than 1,300 destinations and 1,500 hotels. Whether flying with Air Canada or settling in at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts, members will enjoy greater flexibility and seamless opportunities to earn and use points throughout their travel journey.

“Hyatt is one of the world’s most admired hospitality brands, and we’re thrilled to bring World of Hyatt closer to Aeroplan Members,” said Scott O’Leary, Vice President, Loyalty and Product, Air Canada. “This collaboration creates meaningful value across the full travel journey, including new ways to earn, redeem and access benefits across both programs. It’s especially exciting for eligible Aeroplan Credit Cardholders, who will have the ability to earn accelerated Aeroplan points and World of Hyatt points on their Hyatt purchases – a truly unique feature.”

Rewards for Members Across Both Programs

Aeroplan Members can now redeem Aeroplan points for World of Hyatt Free Night Awards at eligible Hyatt hotels and resorts, including Category 1-4 and Category 1-7 Free Night Awards, starting at 25,000 Aeroplan points. World of Hyatt members can now redeem World of Hyatt points for a 30,000-point Aeroplan flight reward certificate, which can be applied toward flight rewards with Air Canada and its airline partners. Together, these new redemption options offer members greater flexibility in how they use reward points, giving travellers more choice across every trip.

“We’re excited to bring World of Hyatt and Aeroplan, Canada’s leading travel loyalty program, together to make travel even more rewarding for our members,” said Laurie Blair, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Loyalty, Hyatt. “This collaboration creates more ways for members to earn, redeem and enjoy benefits across both programs, while unlocking more seamless travel journeys from start to finish.” 

Unlock More with Aeroplan + World of Hyatt
Aeroplan and World of Hyatt members can enjoy accelerated earning opportunities and exclusive benefits across both programs – including additional perks for those who link their Aeroplan and World of Hyatt accounts.

• Aeroplan Members can now earn on eligible stays at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts. Members of both programs can elect to earn 500 Aeroplan points per stay in lieu of earning World of Hyatt points.
• By linking their accounts, Aeroplan Credit Cardholders with cards issued in Canada, can earn World of Hyatt Bonus Points and additional Aeroplan points on stays at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts:
  • Aeroplan Premium Credit Cardholders: earn 2 World of Hyatt Bonus Points + 2 Aeroplan points per eligible C$1 spent at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts.
  • Aeroplan Premium Business Credit Cardholders: earn 2 World of Hyatt Bonus Points + 2.5 Aeroplan points per eligible C$1 spent at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts.
  • Aeroplan Core Cardholders: earn 1 World of Hyatt Bonus Point + 1.5 Aeroplan points per eligible C$1 spent at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts.
  • Aeroplan Core Business Cardholders: earn 1 World of Hyatt Bonus Point + 2 Aeroplan points per eligible C$1 spent at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts.
• Members can convert World of Hyatt points to Aeroplan points at a 2:1 ratio starting at 5,000 points and additional point conversions thereafter may be made in 1,000-point increments.
• Linked Aeroplan Elite Status Members can exclusively convert Aeroplan points to World of Hyatt Bonus Points at 2:1, with a minimum of 500 Aeroplan points at a time, up to 100,000 Aeroplan points per day or 250,000 Aeroplan points per week.
  

Elite Benefits from Runway to Room Key
Aeroplan Elite Status Members, and Aeroplan Premium Credit Cardholders who link their Aeroplan and World of Hyatt accounts can now access benefits and will have opportunities to fast-track their way to status in both programs.

For Aeroplan Members

• Starting today, Aeroplan Elite Status Members and eligible premium credit cardholders can now unlock World of Hyatt status faster with an annual 90-day challenge:
  • Earn Discoverist status with 4 nights
  • Earn Explorist status with 10 nights
  • Earn Globalist status with 20 nights (rewarding Aeroplan Members on the ground with exclusive benefits such as free breakfast for up to four people and, as available, room upgrades and 4:00 p.m. late checkout)
• Aeroplan Premium Credit Cardholders will also receive:
  • Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status that comes with late checkout (2:00 p.m.) as available, elite check-in and more.
  • Five Tier-Qualifying Night credits each calendar year to further accelerate progress toward higher World of Hyatt status.
  • Two attempts each year to earn World of Hyatt status through the annual 90-day status challenge.
  • The ability to earn points in both programs on eligible Hyatt stays, accelerating rewards while fast-tracking their way to status.
    

See here for terms of each of these offers or visit https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/en/landing/aeroplan-terms.html.

For World of Hyatt Members

• As an annual benefit, World of Hyatt Discoverists, Explorists & Globalists will receive a C$20 Air Canada flight credit following linking their accounts.
• Coming later in 2026, World of Hyatt Explorists and Globalists will be able to register for annual challenges to fast-track to Aeroplan Elite Status.
  

See here for terms of each of these offers or visit https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/en/landing/aeroplan-terms.html.

Together, Aeroplan and World of Hyatt are providing additional paths to earn, redeem and enjoy a more connected and rewarding travel experience. Members can now link their Aeroplan and World of Hyatt accounts to unlock a range of new benefits and exclusive offers by visiting this link. All offers, benefits, and rewards described herein are subject to terms and conditions.

Not a member yet? Visit: Hyatt.com/join and Aeroplan.com.

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

For further information: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/partners/hyatt.html#/

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose – to care for people so they can be their best. As of March 31, 2026, the Company’s portfolio included more than 1,500 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 83 countries across six continents. The Company’s offering includes brands in the Luxury Portfolio, including Park Hyatt®, Alila®, Miraval®, Impression by Secrets, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®; the Lifestyle Portfolio, including Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, The Standard®, Dream® Hotels, The StandardX®, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, JdV by Hyatt®, Bunkhouse® Hotels, and Me and All Hotels; the Inclusive Collection, including Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid® Hotels & Resorts, Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts®, and Sunscape® Resorts & Spas; the Classics Portfolio, including Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Destination by Hyatt®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt Vacation Club®, and Hyatt®; and the Essentials Portfolio, including Caption by Hyatt®, Unscripted by Hyatt, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Studios®, Hyatt Select, and UrCove. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt® loyalty program, ALG Vacations®, Mr & Mrs Smith, Unlimited Vacation Club®, Amstar® DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions® technology services. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

About World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt is Hyatt’s award-winning guest loyalty program uniting participating locations in Hyatt’s Luxury Portfolio, including Park Hyatt®, Alila®, Miraval®, Impression by Secrets, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®; the Lifestyle Portfolio, including Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, The Standard®, Dream® Hotels, The StandardX®, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, JdV by Hyatt®, Bunkhouse® Hotels, and Me and All Hotels; the Inclusive Collection, including Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid® Hotels & Resorts, Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts®, and Sunscape® Resorts & Spas; the Classics Portfolio, including Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Destination by Hyatt®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt Vacation Club®, and Hyatt®; and the Essentials Portfolio, including Caption by Hyatt®, Unscripted by Hyatt, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Studios®, Hyatt Select, and UrCove. Members who book directly through Hyatt channels can enjoy personalized care and access to distinct benefits including Guest of Honor, confirmed suite upgrades at time of booking, diverse wellbeing offerings, digital key, and exclusive member rates. With 66 million members and counting, World of Hyatt offers a variety of ways to earn and redeem points for hotel stays, dining and spa services, wellbeing focused experiences through the World of Hyatt FIND experiences platform; as well as the benefits of Hyatt’s strategic loyalty collaboration with American Airlines AAdvantage®. Travelers can enroll for free at hyatt.com, download the World of Hyatt app for android and IOS devices and connect with World of Hyatt on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

Aeroplan Celebrated at the 2026 Freddie Awards

This marks Aeroplan’s fourth consecutive winning year at the Freddie Awards, the travel loyalty industry’s most respected honours, based on votes from more than 10 million loyalty members globally. Aeroplan is proud to be recognized for earning several top honours at this year’s Freddie Awards, including Program of the Year.

About Aeroplan

Air Canada’s Aeroplan is Canada’s leading travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million active members worldwide. Aeroplan Members can earn or redeem points with over 50 airlines to 1,300+ destinations globally, without blackouts or surcharges. Redeem for one-way short-haul flights starting at 6,000 points, Air Canada Vacations packages, and 9,000+ hotel partner properties, or shop brands like Amazon, Apple, and Dyson via the Aeroplan eStore, with redemptions starting at 3,500 points. To join Aeroplan and start turning daily purchases into points for flights, hotel stays, gifts and more, visit aircanada.com/aeroplan.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of more than 50 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers a selection of vacation and Flight & Hotel packages, tours, cruises, car rentals, excursions, and a variety of activities and experiences. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 

• Agreement covers 11,000 employees in Technical Operations, Maintenance and Operational Support, Airports, Cargo, Logistics and Supply

MONTRÉAL, July 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Air Canada said today it has reached a new tentative collective agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) representing the airline’s 11,000 Technical Operations, Maintenance and Operational Support (TMOS) group, which includes Technical Operations, Airports and Cargo, Logistics and Supply employees.

The agreement recognizes the contributions and skills of Air Canada’s employees. The four-year collective agreement would take effect from April 1, 2026, and would remain in place until March 31, 2030.

The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by the union membership, which is expected to be completed over the coming days.

If ratified, this would represent the sixth collective agreement concluded at Air Canada this year.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of more than 50 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers a selection of vacation and Flight & Hotel packages, tours, cruises, car rentals, excursions, and a variety of activities and experiences. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

• The annual golf tournament is the Foundation’s largest fundraising event
• In 2025, the Foundation donated $1.8 million to 473 charitable organizations
• Since 2012, the Foundation raised over $20 million for the health and well-being of children and youth

MONTRÉAL, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Air Canada Foundation hosted its 14^th annual Golf Tournament on Tuesday at Club de golf Le Mirage in Terrebonne, Québec. The event raised a record breaking $1.5 million to support the health and well-being of children and youth across Canada.

This year’s edition welcomed 375 guests and over 100 sponsors, including corporate partners, suppliers, and vendors who generously supported the Air Canada Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year. These funds will be disbursed through the Foundation’s annual grants program, providing much-needed assistance for children and youth from equity-deserving communities, and empowering children to soar toward their full potential.

“I want to thank every participant for having joined us for this very special occasion. I’ve had the privilege of being part of this event for quite a few years now and I remain amazed by the generosity of our guests, friends and partners, year after year,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada. “It takes a lot of people to pull this tournament together every year and I want to express my sincere gratitude to all our employees and retirees who volunteered this week and volunteer year-round in the Foundation’s events. Since 2012, the Foundation has raised $20 million raised for children across the country, an important accomplishment and I speak on behalf of everyone at Air Canada when I say this: thank you to every single person who has donated in the past 14 years. Thank you for sharing our mission and thank you for making a difference.”

“There is a lot to be proud of,” said Louise-Hélène Sénécal, Chair of the Air Canada Foundation. “Not only have we reached an incredible milestone, but days like these remind us all of how important and dear to so many people the Foundation’s mission is. A heartfelt thank you to all of our participants, this year and every year before, and also to our volunteers for their support in helping us make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.”

The tournament was organized and hosted by 50 Air Canada employee and retiree volunteers. The Dr. Clown Foundation, long-term partner of the Foundation, was on site to interact with and delight guests, participate in photos, and share the meaningful impact of its therapeutic clown programs in hospitals and Indigenous communities. Sylas, this year’s Air Canada Foundation Hospital Transportation Program Ambassador and Alessandro, representing pediatric hospitals in British Columbia and Quebec, ran the highly popular lemonade stand and raised nearly $10,000.

In 2025, the Air Canada Foundation donated $1.8 million to charitable organizations across Canada. These donations helped provide approximately 550,000 meals to address food insecurity, including vital support for schools in Indigenous communities, and offered healthy meals to children during the summer period when schools are closed. It also helped realize 1,113 dreams for children facing adversity.

Last May, the Air Canada Foundation unveiled its 2025 Impact Report, showcasing the significant contributions made to communities throughout the year. The report highlights achievements across various areas, including programs, partnerships, fundraising efforts, and employee engagement initiatives.

About the Air Canada Foundation
The Air Canada Foundation, a not-for-profit organization focused on the health and well-being of children and youth, was launched in 2012. It offers both financial and in-kind support to Canadian-registered charities. Core programs include the Hospital Transportation Program (HTP), which redistributes Aeroplan points to partners of the Air Canada Foundation HTP, including 15 pediatric hospitals across the country, Hope Air and the David Foster Foundation. All donated points enable sick children to access the medical care they need away from home. The Air Canada Foundation, in collaboration with the airline, also engages directly in fundraising activities, such as the Every Bit Counts program, which encourages customers to donate loose change of all denominations on board flights or through collection containers available in Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges. The Foundation also offers continued support to major health-related causes that benefit Canadians and is an active participant in international humanitarian relief activity as the need arises. For more information about the Air Canada Foundation, please read the 2025 Impact Report.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of more than 50 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers a selection of vacation and Flight & Hotel packages, tours, cruises, car rentals, excursions, and a variety of activities and experiences. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 

MONTRÉAL, July 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Air Canada announced today that Anko Van der Werff will become its next President and Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board, by the end of January 2027. Mr. Van der Werff, currently President and Chief Executive Officer at Scandinavian Airlines, succeeds Michael Rousseau, who previously announced his retirement after 19 years with Air Canada.

“Our Board of Directors was impressed by the quality of experienced executives from around the world who expressed interest in the role,” said Vagn Sørensen, Chair of the Board. “We are delighted to have attracted and recruited an executive of Mr. Van der Werff’s stature to lead Air Canada. He has an exceptional breadth of international aviation experience and a proven 25-year track record, including his most recent forward-looking executive leadership at Scandinavian Airlines, Avianca Group, and Aeroméxico and earlier at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (now Air France-KLM) and Qatar Airways. We are confident he will drive further value-creating growth and transformation while maintaining our commitment to disciplined capital allocation.”

“Air Canada is a globally recognized airline leader. 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 Anko Van der Werff. “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.”

Mr. Sørensen concluded: “The Board is grateful to Michael Rousseau for his outstanding leadership and extraordinary contributions, which are in large part responsible for the enviable position Air Canada enjoys among global carriers. We thank him for that legacy and for his support with the transition.”

The selection of Mr. Van der Werff follows a comprehensive global search for the best person to lead Air Canada into the future. The search considered a number of performance criteria, including the ability to communicate in French.  

Mr. Rousseau’s retirement is effective August 31, 2026. He will continue to be available as needed throughout the transition. Following his departure and for the duration of the transition period, the Executive Committee will report to the Board of Directors.

Biographical notes

Anko Van der Werff will become President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada by the end of January 2027. A global aviation executive with more than 25 years of international airline leadership experience, he has held senior roles across Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. Prior to joining Air Canada, he served as President and CEO of SAS Scandinavian Airlines, leading the carrier through a significant period of transformation and strategic renewal.

Before joining SAS in 2021, Mr. Van der Werff was Chief Executive Officer of Avianca, one of Latin America’s leading airlines. Earlier in his career, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Aeroméxico, held senior commercial leadership positions at Qatar Airways, and occupied a number of management roles at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Mr. Van der Werff served on the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) until June 2026 and has also served on the boards of several international organizations in the aviation, technology and business sectors.

He holds a master’s degree in law from Leiden University and completed executive studies at Harvard Business School.

A native of the Netherlands, Mr. Van der Werff speaks Dutch. He is able to communicate in French. Aside from those two languages and English, he also learned Spanish, Italian and Swedish at different levels over the course of his international career.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of more than 50 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers a selection of vacation and Flight & Hotel packages, tours, cruises, car rentals, excursions, and a variety of activities and experiences. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

• New partnership gives Aeroplan Members more ways to earn throughout their airport journey
• Members can earn Aeroplan points at participating Avolta retail locations, including Hudson and Dufry stores, with HMSHost dining locations to follow later this year
• Partnership will expand to nearly 1,900 participating airport retail and food & beverage outlets across North America

MONTRÉAL, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aeroplan and Club Avolta are launching a new collaboration giving members more ways to earn points throughout their travel journey. Starting today, Aeroplan Members who link their Aeroplan and Club Avolta accounts through the Club Avolta app will be able to earn Aeroplan points on eligible purchases at more than 900 Avolta airport and travel retail locations.

Through the partnership, members will also earn one Aeroplan point for every C$2 spent on eligible purchases in-store at participating locations operated by Avolta’s Hudson and Dufry, and when pre-ordering through Avolta’s Reserve & Collect online service and via the company’s Club Avolta app.

Later this year, the partnership will expand to Avolta’s HMSHost dining locations, allowing members to earn on eligible food and beverage purchases at casual dining restaurants, quick-service outlets, bars, and Grab & Go locations. Once fully expanded, the partnership will include nearly 1,900 participating airport retail and food and beverage outlets across North America.

Travellers who link their Aeroplan and Club Avolta accounts can also unlock access to offers, rewards, and cross-promotions across Air Canada’s global network and at Avolta’s duty-free, convenience, and participating specialty retail outlets.

Participating locations include major Canadian airports such as:

• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Calgary International Airport (YYC)
• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)

Participating outlets also include major U.S. airports such as Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Chicago O’Hare (ORD).

“The Club Avolta and Aeroplan partnership represents a transformational milestone for Club Avolta as our first North American airline loyalty integration,” said Atousa Ghoreichi, Avolta’s Senior Vice President of Digital, North America. “With Club Avolta, we’re enhancing the Air Canada customer journey by providing additional earning opportunities to Aeroplan Members. As our partnership grows to nearly 1,900 retail and food & beverage outlets in North America, there will be endless ways for travellers to earn.”

“Travel starts well before the boarding gate, and we want to make more of it rewarding for our members,” said Scott O’Leary, Vice President, Loyalty and Product at Air Canada. “Our partnership with Avolta brings Aeroplan into moments that are already part of how people travel –grabbing a bite before their flight, picking up a duty-free deal – creating more ways for our members to earn across the entire trip.”

With over 16 million members worldwide, Club Avolta is the world’s first global loyalty program spanning duty-free, duty-paid, and F&B that has redefined how travellers engage with retail, dining, and convenience services across the globe. Visit ClubAvolta.com and aircanada.com/aeroplan to join the community and start earning.

Aeroplan Celebrated at the 2026 Freddie Awards

This marks Aeroplan’s fourth consecutive winning year at the Freddie Awards, the travel loyalty industry’s most respected honours, based on votes from more than 9 million loyalty members globally. Aeroplan is proud to be recognized for earning several top honours at this year’s Freddie Awards, including Program of the Year.

About Aeroplan

Air Canada’s Aeroplan is Canada’s leading travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million active members worldwide. Aeroplan Members can earn or redeem points with over 50 airlines to 1,300+ destinations globally, without blackouts or surcharges. Redeem for one-way short-haul flights starting at 6,000 points, Air Canada Vacations packages, and 9,000+ hotel partner properties, or shop brands like Amazon, Apple, and Dyson via the Aeroplan eStore, with redemptions starting at 3,500 points. To join Aeroplan and start turning daily purchases into points for flights, hotel stays, gifts and more, visit aircanada.com/aeroplan.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of more than 50 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers a selection of vacation and Flight & Hotel packages, tours, cruises, car rentals, excursions, and a variety of activities and experiences. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

About Avolta AG

Avolta AG (SIX: AVOL) is a global leader at the intersection of travel retail and food & beverage, delivering integrated shopping and dining experiences across airports, motorways, cruise lines, ferries, rail and other high-traffic travel locations worldwide.

Avolta’s global workforce operates in more than 70 countries and across nearly 1,000 locations, managing around 5,100 points of sale. Its traveler-centric strategy is built on digital, data and continuous innovation, while its scale and reach, across multiple travel environments, strengthens resilience and underpins consistent operational and financial performance.

To learn more, visit avoltaworld.com