Saadia Zahidi named IATA's first woman DG
She will take office on November 1 as the organisation's ninth Director General
ATT Correspondent 
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Saadia Zahidi as its next Director General, making her the first woman to lead the global airline body.
Zahidi will take office on November 1 as the organisation's ninth Director General, IATA said in a press release issued on July 23.
Current Director General Willie Walsh will step down on July 31. Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA's Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Services, will serve as Interim Director General until Zahidi assumes office.
Zahidi is currently Managing Director and a member of the Managing Board of the World Economic Forum (WEF), where she has worked for more than 20 years.
Roberto Alvo, Chair of the IATA Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of LATAM Airlines Group, said Zahidi's experience at the WEF would help strengthen IATA's voice in the global airline industry.
He said the aviation sector was entering a period of major change, driven by new technology and geopolitical developments.
Alvo also praised Walsh's leadership, saying he had helped IATA emerge stronger from the Covid-19 pandemic and expand its membership.
Zahidi said she was honoured to lead IATA at an important time for the aviation industry.
She said aviation plays a major role in supporting global trade, tourism, jobs and investment.
Zahidi added that she looked forward to working with airlines, governments and industry partners to strengthen the sector's resilience, promote innovation and support sustainable growth.
At the WEF, Zahidi founded and leads the Centre for the New Economy and Society. She has also overseen the organisation's global communications and programming teams, as well as its engagement with academic institutions, civil society and international organisations.
She was also behind several major WEF publications, including the 'Future of Jobs Report', 'Future of Growth Report', 'Global Gender Gap Report' and 'Chief Economist Outlook'.
Zahidi has served on the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Panel for Women's Economic Empowerment and the European Space Agency's High-Level Advisory Group.
She is also the author of 'Fifty Million Rising', a book about the rise of working women across the Muslim world.
Zahidi holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Smith College, a master's degree in international economics from the Graduate Institute and a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University. She holds Swiss and Pakistani citizenship.
