Saadia Zahidi has been appointed as Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), effective 1 November 2026.
She becomes IATA’s ninth Director General and the first woman to hold the position. A Pakistani-Swiss global executive with more than two decades of leadership experience at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Zahidi’s appointment also marks a significant milestone for Pakistan’s representation in global aviation leadership.
Prior to this appointment, Zahidi served as Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board at the World Economic Forum, where she led the Centre for the New Economy and Society. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in shaping global discussions on economic transformation, workforce development, inclusive growth, and international collaboration while working closely with governments, businesses, and international institutions.
Earlier in her career at the World Economic Forum, Zahidi progressed through a series of senior leadership positions, including Senior Director, Executive Committee; Senior Director; Director; Associate Director; Senior Manager; and Economist. She also led the WEF’s Global Communications Group, Global Programming Group, and engagement with academics, civil society, and international organizations. In addition, she founded and co-authored several of the Forum’s flagship publications, including the Future of Jobs Report, Future of Growth Report, Global Gender Gap Report, and Chief Economists Outlook.
Beyond her executive leadership, Zahidi has served on the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment and the European Space Agency’s High-Level Advisory Group. She is also the author of Fifty Million Rising, which explores the growing economic participation of women in the Muslim world. Her distinguished career reflects a strong commitment to shaping global policy, advancing economic opportunity, and fostering international collaboration, qualities that will support IATA’s mission of representing, leading, and serving the global airline industry. Her appointment is also expected to inspire aspiring professionals across Pakistan and the wider region, highlighting the growing contribution of Pakistani talent to leadership roles on the global stage.
We congratulate Saadia Zahidi on her appointment and wish her continued success in leading IATA through the next chapter of global aviation.
People on the Move is an initiative by Tourism Insights, a SECP-registered tourism think tank and hospitality media platform, spotlighting leadership appointments and career milestones across the global hospitality and tourism industry.
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Source: IATA https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/07-23-iata-board-appoints-saadia-zahidi-as-director-general/
