International Air Transport Association picks Saadia Zahidi as first woman Director General

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Saadia Zahidi, a Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board at the World Economic Forum (WEF), as its next Director General, making her the first woman to lead the global airline association.

Zahidi will assume office on 1 November 2026 as IATA's ninth Director General. She succeeds Willie Walsh, who will conclude his tenure on 31 July 2026 after leading the organisation through the aviation industry's post-pandemic recovery.

Leadership transition enters next phase

To ensure continuity between Walsh's departure and Zahidi's arrival, IATA's Board of Directors has appointed Sandrine Le Borgne, the association's Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Services, as Interim Director General.

The appointment was approved by IATA's Board of Directors, which said Zahidi's leadership experience and global policy expertise position her to guide the organisation through a period of rapid industry transformation.

Announcing the appointment, Roberto Alvo, Chair of the IATA Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of LATAM Airlines Group, said Zahidi's experience at the World Economic Forum would strengthen IATA's role as the voice of the world's airlines.

He added that technology, geopolitics and broader global changes are reshaping aviation, making this an important moment for new leadership.

Alvo also acknowledged Walsh's contribution, saying his leadership helped IATA emerge from the COVID period stronger and with a broader membership base.

WEF veteran brings policy and workforce expertise

Zahidi joins IATA after more than 20 years at the World Economic Forum, where she currently serves as Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board.

She founded and leads the Centre for the New Economy and Society, which focuses on labour markets, skills, economic transformation and the future of work.

Over the course of her career at the WEF, Zahidi has also led:

• The Global Communications Group
• The Global Programming Group
• The organisation's engagement with academics, civil society and international organisations

She is also the founding co-author of several flagship World Economic Forum publications, including:

• Future of Jobs Report
• Future of Growth Report
• Global Gender Gap Report
• Chief Economist Outlook

Beyond the World Economic Forum, Zahidi has served on the United Nations Secretary-General's Panel on Women's Economic Empowerment and the European Space Agency's High-Level Advisory Group.

She is also the author of Fifty Million Rising, a book examining the growing participation of women in the workforce across the Muslim world.

Focus on aviation's next chapter

Responding to her appointment, Zahidi described aviation as critical infrastructure supporting economic growth, trade, tourism, employment and investment.

She said she looked forward to working with member airlines, governments and industry partners to strengthen collaboration through standards, services and advocacy.

Zahidi also identified innovation, resilience and sustainable growth as key priorities, adding that her immediate focus would be working with the IATA team and airline members to shape the industry's future.

Academic and international background

Zahidi holds:

• A Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Smith College
• A Master of Philosophy in International Economics from The Graduate Institute
• A Master of Public Administration from Harvard University

Her appointment marks a significant leadership milestone for the International Air Transport Association, placing its first woman Director General at the helm as the aviation industry navigates technological change, geopolitical uncertainty and the transition towards more sustainable global air transport.