Saadia Zahidi Becomes the First Woman to Lead IATA
IATA Enters a New Era with Saadia Zahidi as CEO
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is embarking on a new chapter in its history. Meeting in Geneva, the organization’s Board of Governors has appointed Saadia Zahidi as its new Director General. She will officially take office on November 1, 2026, becoming the first woman to lead IATA since its inception.
Zahidi will also be the ninth individual to hold the position of Director General for the organization, which represents over 370 airlines worldwide, accounting for nearly 85% of international commercial air traffic.
A Transition Following Willie Walsh
Saadia Zahidi will succeed Willie Walsh, who stepped down on July 31, 2026. In the interim, the leadership of IATA is being handled by Sandrine Le Borgne, the organization’s Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President.
This appointment comes at a crucial time for the international aviation sector, which is grappling with numerous challenges stemming from economic, technological, and environmental changes.
A Career Spanning Over 20 Years at the World Economic Forum
Trained as an economist, Saadia Zahidi boasts extensive experience in global economics and social transformations. She has spent the majority of her career at the World Economic Forum, where she has served on the executive committee for more than two decades.
Notably, she established and led the Center for the New Economy and Society. Her career has also involved work on several major international issues, including inclusion, the future of work, and gender equality.
IATA Facing New Challenges
Zahidi will lead a sector valued at nearly $1 trillion that is currently undergoing significant transformation. The aviation industry must also navigate geopolitical tensions, environmental transitions, and the rapid pace of technological innovation.
Key issues related to the decarbonization of air transport, digital transformation, and the resilience of supply chains are among the primary challenges the sector will need to address in the coming years.
Innovation and Sustainability at the Core of the New Mandate
With her economic background and experience in large-scale international transformations, Saadia Zahidi is expected to prioritize innovation, resilience, and sustainability at the heart of her mandate.
Her appointment also marks a symbolic turning point for IATA, as it hands over leadership to a woman for the first time since the organization’s inception. Her arrival is expected to usher in a new phase in the evolution of the world’s foremost organization representing airlines.
