Zahidi will take office on 1 November 2026, becoming the ninth Director General in the history of the International Air Transport Association

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Board of Directors has appointed Saadia Zahidi as the association’s new Director General. Zahidi, who will assume office on 1 November 2026, will become IATA’s ninth Director General and the first woman to hold the position.

Zahidi will join IATA from the World Economic Forum (WEF), where she serves as a Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board.

IATA’s current Director General, Willie Walsh, will conclude his duties on 31 July 2026. Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA’s Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Services, will serve as Interim Director General until Zahidi takes office.

“Zahidi will bring a fresh perspective to IATA”

Roberto Alvo, Chair of the IATA Board of Directors and CEO of LATAM Airlines Group, said Zahidi’s extensive experience at the World Economic Forum would strengthen IATA’s role as the global voice of the airline industry.

“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,” Alvo said.

Pointing to the rapid transformation of the international environment, Alvo noted that technological developments and geopolitical changes would play a decisive role in shaping the future of aviation.

“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,” he added.

Alvo said Zahidi would bring a fresh perspective to IATA while building on the association’s established technical, financial and data capabilities.

He also thanked Willie Walsh for his leadership, particularly during the aviation industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“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,” Alvo said.

Zahidi: “Aviation is critical infrastructure for economic growth”

Zahidi said she was honoured to take responsibility for advancing IATA’s mission at a pivotal period for the global aviation industry.

“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,” Zahidi said.

Emphasising the importance of cooperation across the aviation ecosystem, Zahidi noted that IATA’s role in developing trusted standards, delivering essential services and representing the industry had become increasingly important in a rapidly changing world.

“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,” she said.

Zahidi added that expanding the benefits of air connectivity to more people and economies would be among her main objectives.

“My top priority will be working with the IATA team and with the industry to build aviation’s future together,” she said.

More than two decades at the World Economic Forum

Zahidi has spent more than 20 years at the World Economic Forum. In addition to serving as a Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board, she founded and currently heads the WEF’s Centre for the New Economy and Society.

During her career at the organisation, she has led the Global Communications Group and Global Programming Group, as well as the WEF’s engagement with academic institutions, civil society organisations and international bodies.

Zahidi founded and co-authors several of the World Economic Forum’s major publications, including the Future of Jobs Report, Future of Growth Report, Global Gender Gap Report and Chief Economists Outlook.

She has also served on the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment and the European Space Agency’s High-Level Advisory Group. Zahidi is the author of Fifty Million Rising, which examines the increasing participation of women in the workforce across the Muslim world.

Zahidi holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Smith College, an MPhil in international economics from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University. She is a citizen of Switzerland and Pakistan.