The International Air Transport Association (IATA) appoints Saadia Zahidi as its Director General, making her the organization’s first woman to hold the post. The appointment is intended to follow the scheduled departure of the current IATA Director General, Willie Walsh, who is set to step down on July 31, 2026. The announcement positions Zahidi to take over after Walsh’s term ends, with the transition tied to the July 2026 date. The reports describe Walsh as the CEO designate from IndiGo, indicating his move out of the IATA role is part of a broader career transition. With Zahidi’s appointment, IATA’s top leadership changes for the period beginning after July 31, 2026. The sources provided do not include additional details on Zahidi’s prior role at IATA or an exact start date beyond the succession plan linked to Walsh’s resignation deadline. Overall, the information centers on the leadership change at IATA: Zahidi’s appointment and Walsh’s planned departure at the end of July 2026.