GENEVA — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced via an official press release that its Board of Directors has appoi

nted Saadia Zahidi as its next Director General, effective November 1, 2026. Zahidi, a senior leader at the World Economic Forum (WEF), will

become the ninth Director General in the history of the trade association and the first woman to hold the leadership position.

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According to the official announcement published on IATA’s pressroom, Zahidi brings over two decades of global economic and social policy experience from the WEF, where she serves as Managing Director, Member of the Managing Board, and head of its Centre for the New Economy and Society. During her tenure at the WEF, she founded and co-authored major global economic benchmarks, including the Future of Jobs Reports, the Global Gender Gap Reports, and the Chief Economist Outlooks. A dual national of Switzerland and Pakistan, Zahidi holds degrees from Smith College, the Graduate Institute in Geneva, and Harvard University. She has also served on high-level advisory bodies for the United Nations and the European Space Agency.

The official press release detailed a structured leadership transition plan. Outgoing Director General Willie Walsh will officially conclude his tenure on July 31, 2026. To cover the interim period, the IATA Board of Directors appointed Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA’s Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Services, as Interim Director General until Zahidi formally steps into the role on November 1.

Roberto Alvo, Chair of the IATA Board of Directors and CEO of LATAM Airlines Group, emphasized the importance of Zahidi’s background in a statement released in the announcement. Alvo noted that her extensive experience at the World Economic Forum will strengthen IATA at a time when technology and evolving geopolitics are reshaping the trillion-dollar global air transport industry. He highlighted that Zahidi brings a fresh perspective that will build upon IATA’s established technical, financial, and data capabilities, while expressing gratitude to Willie Walsh for steering the organization through the post-pandemic recovery.

In her own statement published by IATA, Zahidi expressed honor in accepting the role at a pivotal moment for global aviation. She described aviation as critical infrastructure driving economic growth, trade, and tourism, noting that her core priority will be collaborating with member airlines, governments, and industry partners to drive innovation, bolster resilience, and advance sustainable growth.