On July 23, local time, the International Air Transport Association announced that the board of directors appointed Sadia Zahidi as chairman and will officially take office from November 1, 2026. Zahidi will be the ninth chairman of the International Aviation Association and the first woman to hold this position. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the World Economic Forum and a member of the Board of Management. Willie Walsh, the current chairman of the International Aviation Association, will end his term on July 31, 2026. The IATA Council has appointed Sandrine Le Bonnet, senior vice president of corporate services and chief financial officer, as interim chairman during this period.

On July 23, local time, the International Air Transport Association announced that the board of directors appointed Sadia Zahidi as chairman and will officially take office from November 1, 2026. Zahidi will be the ninth chairman of the International Aviation Association and the first woman to hold this position. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the World Economic Forum and a member of the Board of Management. Willie Walsh, the current chairman of the International Aviation Association, will end his term on July 31, 2026. The IATA Council has appointed Sandrine Le Bonnet, senior vice president of corporate services and chief financial officer, as interim chairman during this period.