Pakistani-born Swiss national Saadia Zahidi appointed IATA director general

Pakistani-born Swiss national Saadia Zahidi has been appointed as the Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), becoming the first woman in the organisation’s history to hold the position. 

Zahidi will assume office on November 1, 2026, and will become IATA’s ninth Director General. Before her appointment, Zahidi served as Managing Director and a member of the Managing Board at the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Welcoming the appointment, IATA Board of Governors Chairman and LATAM Airlines Group CEO Roberto Alvo said the board was delighted to appoint Zahidi as the association’s next Director General.

IATA chairman said Zahidi’s extensive leadership experience at the World Economic Forum (WEF) would further strengthen IATA’s role as the global voice of the airline industry.

IATA represents more than 370 airlines worldwide, accounting for approximately 85 per cent of global air traffic. 

Zahidi holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Smith College, an MPhil in International Economics from the Graduate Institute, and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University.