The International Air Transport Association’s Board of Directors has named longtime World Economic Forum executive Saadia Zahidi as Director General, replacing Willie Walsh who will conclude his duties at the end of this month.
The first ever woman appointed to hold the position, and IATA’s ninth Director General, Zahidi will officially assume the title on 1 November. Following Walsh’s departure on 31 July, IATA chief financial officer and senior vice president for corporate services Sandrine Le Borgne will serve as Interim Director General.
“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,” IATA says.
“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.”
Zahidi, who holds Swiss and Pakistani nationalities, joins IATA after spending more than two decades at the World Economic Forum, where she is a Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board. She founded and currently heads its Centre for the New Economy and Society.
Her book, Fifty Million Rising, tracks the rise of working women in the Muslim world. She holds a BA in Economics from Smith College, an MPhil in International Economics from The Graduate Institute and an MPA from Harvard University.
“I am honored to help advance IATA’s mission to represent, lead, and serve the airline industry at this pivotal moment,” Zahidi says. “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 IATA team and with the industry to build aviation’s future together.”
Walsh, meanwhile, will join Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo as CEO once his IATA tenure ends.
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