GENEVA: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Lahore-born Saadia Zahidi as its director general in place of Willie Walsh, who will relinquish his duties on July 31.

A press release said Saadia Zahidi will take over as the air transport body’s new chief on Nov 1 this year. Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA’s chief financial officer, will serve as acting director general during the intervening period.

Ms Zahidi will be IATA’s ninth director general and the first woman to hold the position. She is currently working as managing director at the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Ms Zahidi is the author of Fifty Million Rising, a book which traces the rise of working women in the Muslim world.

She holds a BA in Economics from Smith College, an MPhil in International Economics from The Graduate Institute, and an MPA from Harvard University.

“The board is very pleased to appoint Saadia Zahidi as director general of IATA. Saadia’s long and outstanding experience at the World Economic Forum will enhance and strengthen IATA as the voice of the world’s airlines,” the press release said.

“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,” the press release added.

In her acceptance message, Saadia Zahidi said: ‘‘I look forward to working closely with our member airlines, governments, and the ecosystem of partners to build on IATA’s remarkable foundation, ensuring aviation continues to connect the world while embracing innovation, strengthening resilience, and advancing sustainable growth.

The airline group is turning to the Pakistani-born economist, an outsider to the aviation sector, at a time when airlines are wrestling with geopolitical and economic headwinds as oil prices rise above $100 a barrel due to Middle East strife.

The influential Geneva-based organisation has largely been run by former airline CEOs or board members. As director general of IATA, Zahidi will also face discussion over curbing pollution from flights at a time when airlines’ flagship goal of net zero by 2050 has been put at risk by a shortage of efficient new aircraft and green jet fuel.

In January this year, Zahidi had expressed concern in a WEF podcast that environmental risks were being deprioritised as executives focus on areas like trade tensions.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2026