IATA names Saadia Zahidi as first woman director general

KUALA LUMPUR: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed World Economic Forum (WEF) senior executive Saadia Zahidi as its next director general, making her the first woman to lead the global airline body.

Zahidi, who will become IATA's ninth director general, will assume the position on Nov 1.

She will succeed Willie Walsh, who is due to conclude his duties at IATA on July 31.

Walsh will join Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo as its chief executive officer.

IATA chief financial officer and senior vice-president for corporate services Sandrine Le Borgne will serve as interim director general between Walsh's departure and Zahidi's appointment.

IATA board of directors chairman and LATAM Airlines Group chief executive officer Roberto Alvo said Zahidi's experience would help strengthen the association as the representative body for the global airline industry.

"Saadia's long and outstanding experience at the World Economic Forum will enhance and strengthen IATA as the voice of the world's airlines," he said in a statement.

Alvo said the appointment came as developments in areas including technology and geopolitics were expected to reshape the aviation industry.

Zahidi said aviation remained critical infrastructure supporting economic growth, trade, tourism, employment, investment and opportunities.

"My top priority will be working with the IATA team and with the industry to build aviation's future together," she said.

Zahidi has spent more than two decades at WEF, where she serves as managing director and a member of its managing board.

She founded and currently heads the organisation's Centre for the New Economy and Society.

She previously led WEF's global communications and global programming groups, as well as its engagement with academics, civil society and international organisations.

Zahidi also founded and co-authors WEF publications including the Future of Jobs Report, Future of Growth Report, Global Gender Gap Report and Chief Economists Outlook.

She holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Smith College, a Master of Philosophy in international economics from the Graduate Institute in Geneva and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University.