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 starting Nov. 1. She 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 spent more than two decades and served as Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board.
Zahidi will replace Willie Walsh, who, will conclude his duties on July 31. Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA’s Chief Financial Officer and Sr. VP for Corporate Services, will act as Interim Director General for the intervening period.
“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, Chair of the IATA Board of Directors and CEO of LATAM Airlines Group. “Global air transport is a trillion-dollar industry that has and continues to change the world for the better.”
He added, “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.”
Zahidi commented, “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.
About Zahidi
In addition to serving as MD at the World Economic Forum, Zahidi founded and currently heads its Centre for the New Economy and Society. Previously she has led the WEF’s Global Communications Group, Global Programming Group, and WEF’s engagement with academics, civil society, and international organizations.
She founded and co-authors WEF’s Future of Jobs Reports, the Future of Growth Reports, the Global Gender Gap Reports, and Chief Economist Outlooks and she has served on the UN Secretary-General’s panel for Women’s Economic Empowerment and the European Space Agency’s High-Level Advisory Group. She is also the author of Fifty Million Rising, tracking the rise of working women in the Muslim world.
Zahidi holds a BA in Economics from Smith College, an MPhil in International Economics from The Graduate Institute, and an MPA from Harvard University. She holds Swiss and Pakistani nationalities.
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