The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Saadia Zahidi as its next Director General, effective November 1, 2026, making her the organisation’s ninth chief executive and the first woman to hold the role.
Zahidi joins IATA from the World Economic Forum (WEF), where she serves as Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board.
She will succeed Willie Walsh, who steps down on 31 July 2026 after leading the global airline body.
During the interim period, IATA Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Services Sandrine Le Borgne will serve as Interim Director General.
Zahidi spent more than 20 years at the WEF, founding and leading its Centre for the New Economy and Society and co-authoring influential reports on jobs, growth and gender equality.
She has also served on international advisory panels, authored Fifty Million Rising, and holds degrees from Smith College, The Graduate Institute and Harvard University.
“The Board is very pleased to appoint Saadia Zahidi as Director General of IATA. Saadia’s long and outstanding experience at the World Economic Forum will enhance and strengthen IATA as the voice of the world’s airlines. Global air transport is a trillion-dollar industry that has and continues to change the world for the better. Saadia’s appointment comes at a moment of significant change in the international environment. Technology and geopolitics, among others, will reshape the industry in the future and Saadia brings the right skills to effectively articulate what our industry needs to continue connecting people and economies safely, efficiently, and sustainably. She’ll bring a fresh perspective to IATA that will grow its support for the airline industry on the foundations of IATA’s well-established technical, financial, and data capabilities. I thank Willie for his outstanding leadership that helped IATA emerge from the COVID years stronger and with a more representative membership than ever. We now look forward to Saadia taking IATA’s work to even greater heights,” said Roberto Alvo, Chair of the IATA Board of Directors and CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.
“I am honoured to help advance IATA's mission to represent, lead, and serve the airline industry at this pivotal moment. Aviation is critical infrastructure for economic growth, trade, tourism, jobs, investment, and opportunity. In a rapidly changing world, IATA's role in bringing the industry together to collaborate through trusted standards, essential services, and advocacy has never been more important. I look forward to working closely with our member airlines, governments, and the ecosystem of partners to build on IATA’s remarkable foundation, ensuring aviation continues to connect the world while embracing innovation, strengthening resilience, and advancing sustainable growth. Together, we can expand the benefits of connectivity to more people and economies around the world. My top priority will be working with the IATA team and with the industry to build aviation’s future together,” said Zahidi. -TradeArabia News Service
