IATA Board Appoints Saadia Zahidi as Director General

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.