GENEVA – The International Air Transport Association has named Saadia Zahidi the next director general, making her the first woman to lead the global airline industry’s trade organization in its more than 80-year history.

Zahidi, a managing director and member of the board at the World Economic Forum, will become IATA’s ninth leader Nov. 1, the organization announced last week.

She succeeds Willie Walsh, who will step down July 31 after leading IATA through the airline industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Walsh has been appointed chief executive of India’s largest airline, IndiGo.

Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA’s chief financial officer and senior vice president for corporate services, will serve as interim director general until Zahidi takes office, the group said.

Zahidi said she was honored to lead IATA at what she described as a critical moment for aviation.

“I am honored to help advance IATA’s mission to represent, lead and serve the airline industry at this pivotal moment,” Zahidi said. “In a rapidly changing world, IATA’s role in bringing the industry together to collaborate through trusted standards, essential services and advocacy has never been more important.”

A veteran of more than two decades at the World Economic Forum, Zahidi founded and leads the Center for the New Economy and Society. She also helped develop several flagship reports, including the Future of Jobs Report and the Global Gender Gap Report.

Her appointment marks a milestone for IATA as the association prepares to navigate technological change, sustainability challenges and shifting global economic conditions.

Zahidi studied economics at Smith College, the Graduate Institute and Harvard University. She holds Swiss and Pakistani nationalities.

IATA represents more than 370 airlines that account for about 85% of scheduled air traffic.

Images are courtesy of IATA.