The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has named Saadia Zahidi to the position of director general, effective November 1. 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 July 31. 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.
“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. 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 said she is honored to help advance IATA’s mission. “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,” she said.
