Saadia Zahidi will become the first woman to lead the International Air Transport Association (IATA), taking over as the organisation’s director general at a pivotal moment for the aviation industry.
Zahidi, a senior executive at the World Economic Forum (WEF), was appointed by IATA’s Board of Directors on July 23 and will begin her new role in November,
She will be the association’s ninth director general.
Her appointment marks a historic change at the Geneva-based organisation, which represents the interests of airlines worldwide. Zahidi succeeds Willie Walsh, who will leave the post on July 31 after leading IATA through the aviation industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA’s chief financial officer and senior vice president for corporate services, will serve as interim director general during the three-month transition.
“Saadia’s long and outstanding experience at the World Economic Forum will enhance and strengthen IATA as the voice of the world’s airlines,” said Roberto Alvo, chairman of the IATA Board and CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.
Alvo pointed to rapid technological and geopolitical changes that are expected to reshape aviation, saying Zahidi brings the skills needed to articulate the industry’s priorities in an increasingly complex international environment.
Zahidi spent more than two decades at the World Economic Forum, where she most recently served as managing director and a member of its Managing Board. She founded and currently heads the WEF’s Centre for the New Economy and Society.
Her work has focused heavily on the future of employment, economic growth and gender equality. She founded and co-authored the WEF’s Future of Jobs, Future of Growth and Global Gender Gap reports, as well as its Chief Economist Outlooks.
She has also served on a UN Secretary-General’s panel on women’s economic empowerment and on a European Space Agency high-level advisory group.
Zahidi said aviation remains “critical infrastructure” for economic growth, trade, tourism, jobs and investment, and pledged to work with airlines, governments and industry partners to strengthen the sector’s resilience while advancing innovation and sustainable growth.
She holds degrees from Smith College, the Graduate Institute in Geneva and Harvard University, and is a dual Swiss-Pakistani national.
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James Lancaster
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