IATA Appoints Saadia Zahidi as First Female Director General

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) appointed Saadia Zahidi as its ninth Director General on July 23, 2026. Zahidi, previously a managing director and board member at the World Economic Forum, will formally assume the role on November 1, 2026. She is the first woman to lead the organization since its founding over 80 years ago and the first person in more than 40 years to be appointed to the position from outside the aviation industry.

Zahidi succeeds Willie Walsh, who concludes his duties on July 31, 2026, to become the chief executive of IndiGo effective August 3, pending regulatory approval. To manage the transition between Walsh's departure and Zahidi's start date, the IATA Board of Directors appointed Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Services Sandrine Le Borgne as Interim Director General.

Roberto Alvo, Chair of the IATA Board, stated that Zahidi's background at the World Economic Forum will strengthen the association's role as the voice of the airline industry while it addresses technological and geopolitical shifts. Zahidi identified her top priority as collaborating with the industry and IATA team to build the future of aviation, describing the sector as critical infrastructure for economic growth, trade, and investment.