Saadia Zahidi Becomes First Woman Chief Of International Aviation Body
The International Air Transport Association has announced the appointment of Saadia Zahidi as its ninth Director General. She becomes the first woman to lead the global aviation body in its history.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has named Saadia Zahidi as its next Director General, marking a historic shift in the organization's leadership. Zahidi is scheduled to officially assume the role on November 1, succeeding the current leadership as the ninth person to hold the position.
As the first woman appointed to lead the international aviation body, Zahidi takes over at a time when the industry continues to navigate post-pandemic recovery and sustainability targets. Her background includes extensive experience in global economics and gender parity initiatives at international forums.
The move has been recognized by industry analysts as a significant milestone for representation within the aerospace and transport sectors. The association represents nearly 330 airlines worldwide, comprising over 80 percent of total air traffic. IATA
