IATA Appoints World Economic Forum Executive Saadia Zahidi as New Director General
The Board of Directors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has officially appointed Saadia Zahidi as the trade group's next Director General, effective November 1, 2026.
Zahidi will become the ninth Director General in the association’s history and the first woman to lead the global organization, which represents over 330 airlines accounting for roughly 85% of global air traffic. She is also the first non-airline executive to hold the top leadership post since 1985.
Transition and Leadership Experience
Zahidi joins IATA after more than two decades at the World Economic Forum (WEF), where she currently serves as Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board, as well as head of the Centre for the New Economy and Society. An economist by background, she holds degrees from Smith College, the Graduate Institute Geneva, and Harvard University.
She succeeds outgoing Director General Willie Walsh, who concludes his duties on July 31, 2026, to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer at Indian carrier IndiGo. During the interim transition period between August and November, IATA’s Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Services, Sandrine Le Borgne, will serve as Interim Director General.
Roberto Alvo, Chair of the IATA Board of Directors and CEO of LATAM Airlines Group, highlighted the importance of Zahidi's background during a time of global transformation:
Setting Priorities for Global Aviation
In accepting the appointment, Zahidi emphasized the critical role commercial aviation plays as global economic infrastructure and signaled a strong focus on innovation, resilience, and sustainability.
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"Aviation is critical infrastructure for economic growth, trade, tourism, jobs, investment, and opportunity," Zahidi stated. "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."
Her tenure is expected to focus heavily on navigating international regulatory challenges, accelerating decarbonization efforts across commercial aviation, and integrating emerging technologies into global air transport frameworks.
