The International Air Transport Association has appointed Lahore-born economist Saadia Zahidi as its next director general, making her the ninth head and the first woman to lead the global airline trade body. Zahidi will officially assume the top role on November 1, 2026, succeeding outgoing Director General Willie Walsh, who completes his tenure on July 31. During the three-month transition period from August through October, IATA Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Services Sandrine Le Borgne will serve as interim director general.
Zahidi joins the aviation association following a distinguished career spanning more than two decades at the World Economic Forum, where she currently serves as Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board. At the WEF, she established and leads the Centre for the New Economy and Society, having previously headed the forum global communications group, programming group, and international institutional engagements. Beyond her executive management roles, Zahidi co-authored foundational policy reports including the Future of Jobs Report and the Global Gender Gap Report, served on the UN Secretary-General panel for Women Economic Empowerment, and authored the book Fifty Million Rising, which documents the rise of working women across the Muslim world. She holds an academic background with a BA in Economics from Smith College, an MPhil in International Economics from The Graduate Institute in Geneva, and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University.
In official statements confirming the appointment, the IATA Board of Directors expressed confidence that Zahidi background in global economic strategy will strengthen the association capacity to represent member airlines on international stages. Board representatives noted that her policy and economic skillset will help the organization navigate evolving technological landscapes, regulatory demands, and geopolitical headwinds while maintaining safe, efficient, and sustainable global air transport connectivity. Accepting the appointment, Zahidi stated that she looks forward to collaborating with member airlines, governments, and industry partners to drive sector resilience, embrace technological innovation, and advance sustainable long-term growth across the aviation ecosystem.
The leadership transition occurs at a crucial juncture for the global aviation industry, which continues to manage volatile operating conditions, economic uncertainty, and elevated fuel costs stemming from international geopolitical conflicts. Unlike previous IATA directors who typically stepped into the role directly from airline chief executive positions, Zahidi brings an external perspective rooted in macroeconomics, workforce trends, and international policy development. Among her primary tasks will be leading industry-wide discussions around environmental sustainability and decarbonization, particularly as airlines work toward net-zero targets amid supply chain constraints, aircraft shortages, and limited availability of sustainable aviation fuels.
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