Saadia Zahidi Becomes the First Woman to Lead IATA
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is turning a new page in its history. Meeting in Geneva, the association’s Board of Governors has appointed Saadia Zahidi as its new Director General. She will officially take up her duties on November 1, 2026, becoming the first woman to lead IATA since its establishment.
Saadia Zahidi will also be the ninth individual to hold the position of Director General of IATA, which represents over 370 airlines worldwide, accounting for nearly 85% of international commercial air traffic.
A Transition Following Willie Walsh
The new Director General will succeed Willie Walsh, who stepped down from his role on July 31, 2026. Until Zahidi’s arrival, the leadership of IATA will be temporarily held by Sandrine Le Borgne, the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of the organization.
This appointment comes at a critical time for the international aviation sector, which is facing numerous challenges related to economic, technological, and environmental changes.
A Career Spanning More Than 20 Years at the World Economic Forum
With a background in economics, Saadia Zahidi has extensive experience in global economics and social transformations. She has spent most of her career at the World Economic Forum, where she served on the executive committee for over two decades.
During her tenure, she founded and led the Center for the New Economy and Society. Her work has also involved addressing several major international issues, including inclusion, the future of work, and gender equality.
IATA Facing New Challenges
Saadia Zahidi will lead an industry worth nearly $1 trillion that is undergoing significant transformation. The aviation sector must navigate geopolitical tensions, environmental transitions, and the rapid acceleration of technological innovations.
Key issues such as the decarbonization of air transport, digital transformation, and the resilience of supply chains will be among the primary challenges the sector needs to address in the coming years.
Innovation and Sustainability at the Core of the New Mandate
With her economic profile and experience in large-scale international transformations, Saadia Zahidi is expected to position innovation, resilience, and sustainability at the heart of her mandate.
Her appointment also represents a symbolic turning point for IATA, as it entrusts its leadership to a woman for the first time since the organization’s inception. Her arrival is set to mark a new phase in the evolution of the world’s leading organization representing airlines.
