The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Saadia Zahidi as director general, effective 1 November 2026.
Selected by IATA’s Board of Directors, Zahidi is IATA’s ninth director general, and the first woman to hold the position.
Zahidi joins IATA from the World Economic Forum (WEF) where she is a managing director and member of the managing board.
With more than two decades under her belt, she founded and currently heads WEF’s Centre for the New Economy and Society. Zahidi also previously led the Global Communications Group, Global Programming Group, and WEF’s engagement with academics, civil society, and international organizations.
She has served on the UN Secretary-General’s panel for Women’s Economic Empowerment and the European Space Agency’s High-Level Advisory Group. Zahidi is also the author of Fifty Million Rising, tracking the rise of working women in the Muslim world.
IATA’s current director general, Willie Walsh, will conclude his duties on 31 July 2026. In the interim period, the Board of Directors has appointed chief financial officer and senior vice president for Corporate Services, Sandrine Le Borgne, as interim director general.
Reaching new heights
Chair of the IATA Board of Directors and CEO of LATAM Airlines Group, Roberto Alvo, said that The Board was pleased to appoint Zahidi as director general.
“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,” Alvo said.
“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,” he said.
Supporting critical infrastructure
Zahidi said that she was honoured to help advance IATA’s mission to represent, lead, and serve the airline industry at a 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,” she said.
“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,” Zahidi said.
