Who is Saadia Zahidi? Meet the woman trading the World Economic Forum for the global airline stage
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has confirmed the appointment of Saadia Zahidi as its first female director general. Here’s what we know about…
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has confirmed the appointment of Saadia Zahidi as its first female director general. Here’s what we know about IATA’s incoming chief.
Following Willie Walsh’s announcement in April that he would be stepping down from his role at the helm of IATA, the question on the industry’s lips has been who will take over?
📢 BIG NEWS 📢
— IATA (@IATA) July 23, 2026
We're pleased to announce Saadia Zahidi (@zahidi) has been appointed to the position of Director General, starting 1 November.
Zahidi will be IATA’s ninth DG and the first woman appointed to hold the position.
More on our incoming DG: https://t.co/0sXLlcVG7l pic.twitter.com/3ENRNE7CD6
That mystery has now been solved, with the announcement on 23 July that Saadia Zahidi will be appointed director general of the airline trade body. When she takes over the reins on 1 November, Zahidi will also take her place in aviation’s history books as the ninth director general and, more significantly, the first woman appointed to hold the position.
Who is Saadia Zahidi?
Currently a Managing Director and member of the Managing Board at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Zahidi, who is in her mid-40s, was born in Lahore, holds Pakistani and Swiss citizenship.
She has spent more than two decades at the WEF, where she founded and heads up its Centre for the New Economy and Society. She also previously led the WEF’s Global Communications Group, Global Programming Group and its engagement with academics, civil society and international organisations.
A keen advocate for diversity and inclusion, she has co-authored multiple WEF flagship reports, including the Future of Jobs Report and Global Gender Gap Report, as well as its Chief Economist Outlooks. She has also served on the UN Secretary-General’s panel for Women’s Economic Empowerment and the European Space Agency’s High-Level Advisory Group. Additionally, she authored ‘Fifty Million Rising’ about the increase of working women in the Muslim world.
The advantage of Zahidi’s background in economics
With a BA in Economics from Smith College, an MPhil in International Economics from The Graduate Institute in Geneva, which specialises in international relations and global governance, and an MPA from Harvard University, she is well placed to engage with airline CEOs and ministers on IATA’s core advocacy issues: taxation, airport charges, fuel costs and industry profitability. According to Zahidi herself, her top priority will be “working with the IATA team and with the industry to build aviation’s future.”
She added that “Together we can expand the benefits of connectivity to more people and economies around the world.”
While Zahidi’s background is rooted in economics, international relations, and policy leadership, her predecessor, Walsh, came up through airline operations. He held CEO roles at Aer Lingus, British Airways and IAG. Rather than having the expertise of running an airline, Zahidi’s path is research, policy and economic diplomacy. With the current geopolitical turbulence and constantly evolving aerospace sector, IATA has already pointed to technology and global headwinds as reshaping the industry.
“Aviation is critical infrastructure for economic growth, trade, tourism, jobs, investment and opportunity,” conceded Zahidi. “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.”
A Director General who has never run an airline
On paper at least, Zahidi does lack experience in direct operational experience. Beyond shaping aviation’s next chapter, IATA is also focused on technical and operational coordination with safety standards, ground handling, and baggage systems all key areas, alongside advocacy for its 370+ airline members.
Her appointment is, however, a genuine bet on a different kind of leadership. It signals that IATA believes the next phase of aviation leadership requires someone fluent in trade policy, labour economics and global governance.
Acknowledging that Zahidi’s background positions her well to represent the sector and thanking Walsh for his “outstanding leadership” and efforts to grow a “more representative membership than ever,” Roberto Alvo, Chair of the IATA Board of Directors and CEO of LATAM Airlines Group, said he is now “looking forward to Saadia taking IATA’s work to even greater heights.”
Zahidi herself reiterated that she is looking forward to working closely with member airlines, governments and the ecosystem of partners to “build on IATA’s foundation, ensuring aviation continues to connect the world while embracing innovation, strengthening resilience and advancing sustainable growth.”
What’s next for Willie Walsh
IATA’s current director general is coming to the end of his tenure this month and will officially conclude his duties on 31 July. IATA has appointed Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA’s CFO and SVP for corporate services, as Interim Director General for the intervening period prior to Zahidi joining. Walsh is expected to begin his new role as CEO of IndiGo at the beginning of August, following Pieter Elbers’ resignation in March.
IATA’s leaders over the years
To date, IATA has had eight Director Generals:
2021-2026 Wille Walsh
2016-2021 – Alexandre de Juniac. Former roles include: Chairman and CEO of Air France and advisor to Nicolas Sarkozy.
2011-2016 – Tony Tyler. Formerly CEO Cathay Pacific.
2002-2011 – Giovanni Bisignani. Formerly CEO of Alitalia and Chair of the Association of European Airlines. Bisignani was also President of Italy’s largest ferry company Tirrenia di Navigazione.
1993-2002 – Pierre Jean Jeanniot. Formerly CEO of Air Canada and opened IATA’s first China office in 1993.
198501992 – Gunter Eser. Formerly a Lufthansa executive.
1996-1984 – Knut Hammarskjold. A Swedish diplomat, Hammarskjold joined IATA from the European Free Trade Association.
1946-1966 – Sir William Hildred. IATA’s first Director General, Hildred joined IATA from the Civil Aviation Office of Great Britain. He was instrumental in the establishment of commercial standards to support post-World War Two aviation.
