Air Canada has announced the retirement of David I. Richardson, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. His retirement will take effect at the conclusion of Air Canada’s annual meeting of shareholders (AGM) on May 5, 2017, when Vagn Sørensen, a current member of the Board, will become Chairman

Vagn Sørensen was appointed to Air Canada’s Board in 2006, and is currently Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee, and a member of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee.

He has extensive experience in global business, finance, digital transformation and the airline and transportation industries. Vagn Sørensen is Chairman of FL.Smidth & Co. A/S, Scandic Hotels Group AB and SSP Group plc, and serves as a director of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

He was previously President and Chief Executive Officer of Austrian Airlines Group and held various senior commercial positions with SAS including Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Sørensen is the former Chairman of British Midland Ltd. and a former director of Lufthansa Cargo AG.

“It is an honour and privilege to be selected by the Board as incoming Chairman. I very much look forward to helping Air Canada continue on its path to be among the best global airlines,” says Vagn Sørensen. “David Richardson has been a skillful steward of the Board and management at a time of significant transformation for the Company. On behalf of the Board, I extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to David for the wealth of his contributions to Air Canada’s success.”