by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:00 AM ET, Fri July 24, 2026
New IATA Director General, Saadia Zahidi. (Photo Credit: International Air Transport Association)
WHY IT RATES: Travel
advisors need to educate themselves about Saadia Zahidi, who will become the IATA’s
ninth Director General and the first woman appointed to hold the position.—Donald
Wood, Managing Editor.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced
that Saadia Zahidi has been appointed by IATA’s Board of Directors to the
position of Director General from 1 November 2026. Zahidi will be IATA’s ninth
Director General and the first woman appointed to hold the position. She joins
IATA from the World Economic Forum (WEF) where she is a Managing Director and
Member of the Managing Board.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s current Director General, will conclude
his duties on 31 July 2026. The IATA Board of Directors has appointed Sandrine
Le Borgne, IATA’s Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for
Corporate Services, as Interim Director General for the intervening period.
“The Board is very pleased to appoint Saadia Zahidi as
Director General of IATA. Saadia’s long and outstanding experience at the World
Economic Forum will enhance and strengthen IATA as the voice of the world’s
airlines. Global air transport is a trillion-dollar industry that has and
continues to change the world for the better. Saadia’s appointment comes at a
moment of significant change in the international environment. Technology and
geopolitics, among others, will reshape the industry in the future and Saadia
brings the right skills to effectively articulate what our industry needs to
continue connecting people and economies safely, efficiently, and sustainably.
She’ll bring a fresh perspective to IATA that will grow its support for the
airline industry on the foundations of IATA’s well-established technical,
financial, and data capabilities.
I thank Willie for his outstanding leadership that helped
IATA emerge from the COVID years stronger and with a more representative
membership than ever. We now look forward to Saadia taking IATA’s work to even
greater heights,” said Roberto Alvo, Chair of the IATA Board of Directors and
CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.
“I am honored to help advance IATA's mission to represent,
lead, and serve the airline industry at this pivotal moment. Aviation is
critical infrastructure for economic growth, trade, tourism, jobs, investment,
and opportunity. In a rapidly changing world, IATA's role in bringing the
industry together to collaborate through trusted standards, essential services,
and advocacy has never been more important.
I look forward to working closely with our member airlines,
governments, and the ecosystem of partners to build on IATA’s remarkable
foundation, ensuring aviation continues to connect the world while embracing
innovation, strengthening resilience, and advancing sustainable growth.
Together, we can expand the benefits of connectivity to more people and
economies around the world. My top priority will be working with the IATA team
and with the industry to build aviation’s future together,” said Zahidi.
SOURCE: International Air
Transport Association (IATA) press release.
Topics From This Article to Explore
