Saadia Zahidi Appointed First Woman Director General Of IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Saadia Zahidi as its next Director General, effective November 1, 2026. She will succeed Willie Walsh, whose term as IATA Director General ends on July 31, 2026.

Following Walsh’s departure, IATA Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Services Sandrine Le Borgne will serve as Interim Director General until Zahidi takes charge.

Zahidi will become the ninth (9th) person to lead the global airline industry body and the first (1st) woman to hold the position. She currently serves as Managing Director (MD) and a Member of the Managing Board at the World Economic Forum (WEF). She is the Founder and Co-Author of reports including the Future of Jobs Reports, Global Gender Gap Reports and Chief Economist Outlooks. She has been recognised among BBC’s 100 Women and has served on global advisory panels. She leads the Centre for the New Economy and Society, working with businesses, governments, academic institutions and civil society organisations on economic opportunity and development initiatives. She holds degrees from Smith College, The Graduate Institute and Harvard University.