APPOINTMENT

IATA Appoints Saadia Zahidi as Director General

International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the appointment of Saadia Zahidi as its Director General, effective 1 November 2026. She will be the ninth Director General of the association and the first woman to hold the position.

Saadia joins the company from the World Economic Forum (WEF), where she serves as Managing Director and a member of the Managing Board.

Current Director General Willie Walsh will conclude his tenure on 31 July 2026. For the interim period, the company’s Board of Directors has appointed Sandrine Le Borgne, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Services, as Interim Director General.

According to the association, Saadia Zahidi brings experience from her time at the World Economic Forum, where she has held leadership roles across global communications, programming, and engagement with academic, civil society, and international institutions. She also founded and leads the Centre for the New Economy and Society.

“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 honored 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 team and with the industry to build aviation’s future together,” said Zahidi.

During her tenure at WEF, Saadia Zahidi has contributed to several research initiatives, including reports on jobs, growth, and gender parity. She has also served on advisory groups linked to international organizations, including the United Nations and the European Space Agency.

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