IATA News

Skift • Gordon Smith

IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as director general, succeeding Willie Walsh

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has named World Economic Forum managing director Saadia Zahidi as its next director general, effective Nov. 1. She will succeed Willie Walsh, who relinquishes the role on July 31, making Zahidi IATA’s first female director general and first since 1985 without airline executive experience.

23 Sources

2026-07-23T09:54:09.805184-07:00

Runway Girl

IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as Director General, effective Nov. 1

3 Sources

2026-07-24T07:20:41.539328-07:00

FlightGlobal

European Commission proposes EU ETS overhaul to charge international flights; industry blocs clash over costs and decarbonisatio

14 Sources

2026-07-17T05:17:08.947062-07:00

Reuters

Farnborough 2026: defense-first weapons focus meets eVTOL autonomy debut and IATA’s 2025 market readout

33 Sources

2026-07-16T23:44:00.863030-07:00

IATA News Timeline

Runway Girl

3 sources

IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as Director General, effective Nov. 1 IATA’s Board has named World Economic Forum executive Saadia Zahidi as Director General, effective Nov. 1, succeeding Willie Walsh, who steps down July 31. Zahidi becomes IATA’s first woman to lead the organization.

2026-07-24T07:20:41.539328-07:00

IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as Director General, effective Nov. 1

Skift

23 sources

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IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as director general, succeeding Willie Walsh The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has named World Economic Forum managing director Saadia Zahidi as its next director general, effective Nov. 1. She will succeed Willie Walsh, who relinquishes the role on July 31, making Zahidi IATA’s first female director general and first since 1985 without airline executive experience.

2026-07-23T09:54:09.805184-07:00

IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as director general, succeeding Willie Walsh

AirInsight

3 sources

EU proposes expanding ETS to flights within 5,000 km of the EEA, drawing backlash from IATA and environmental critics over extra The European Commission’s proposal would extend the EU ETS to cover airline emissions from flights within 5,000 km of the EEA, effectively adding Middle East and North Africa routes. IATA rejects the plan’s extraterritorial scope, while environmental groups and low-cost carriers raise concerns about pricing and competitiveness.

2026-07-20T10:15:47.243298-07:00

EU proposes expanding ETS to flights within 5,000 km of the EEA, drawing backlash from IATA and environmental critics over extra

FlightGlobal

14 sources

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European Commission proposes EU ETS overhaul to charge international flights; industry blocs clash over costs and decarbonisatio The European Commission has proposed overhauling the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), extending carbon-permit requirements to international flights. Business aviation and airline groups—including EBAA and Airlines for Europe—criticize the plan over higher passenger costs and concerns that revenues may not be clearly reinvested in aviation decarbonisation.

2026-07-17T05:17:08.947062-07:00

European Commission proposes EU ETS overhaul to charge international flights; industry blocs clash over costs and decarbonisatio

Reuters

33 sources

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Farnborough 2026: defense-first weapons focus meets eVTOL autonomy debut and IATA’s 2025 market readout With wars reshaping customer priorities, Britain’s Farnborough Airshow is set to foreground weapons and defense-linked capabilities alongside next-generation platforms. Vertical Aerospace plans its first public eVTOL prototype flight, following a defense-focused autonomy deal. Separately, IATA’s 2025 WATS highlights premium growth, Asia’s dominance, and shifting fleet dynamics.

2026-07-16T23:44:00.863030-07:00

Farnborough 2026: defense-first weapons focus meets eVTOL autonomy debut and IATA’s 2025 market readout

AeroTime

12 sources

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IATA publishes operational guidance to standardize in-cabin pet travel across the passenger journey IATA has issued new operational guidance for airlines to manage in-cabin pet travel consistently—from booking and check-in through boarding, onboard handling, and arrival. The move targets passenger confusion caused by uneven practices, which IATA says affects 41% of pet-interested travelers in its surveys.

2026-07-15T06:29:57.093000-07:00

IATA publishes operational guidance to standardize in-cabin pet travel across the passenger journey

AirInsight

6 sources

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IATA: May 2026 air cargo demand +6% as Middle East disruption persists; AI/semiconductor demand lifts June growth IATA’s May 2026 data shows global air cargo demand rising 6.0% year over year, with volumes increasing faster than capacity despite continued Middle East-related disruption. Separately, IATA links a +7% June gain to exceptional semiconductor and AI-linked hardware flows, even as spot rates continue to ease.

2026-07-02T07:15:55.163238-07:00

IATA: May 2026 air cargo demand +6% as Middle East disruption persists; AI/semiconductor demand lifts June growth

Reuters

12 sources

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Middle East conflict and high-tech cargo demand tighten capacity as rates rise on Taiwan–US lanes Dimerco says Taiwan–US airfreight capacity remains exceptionally tight, with high-tech demand driving rising rates. In parallel, Air cargo capacity across MESA is still recovering, narrowing a reported 19% deficit, while passenger demand is mixed as jet fuel pressure and Middle East carriers’ weakness drag overall trends and Heathrow trims its 2026 outlook amid war risks.

2026-06-30T20:24:47.585016-07:00

Middle East conflict and high-tech cargo demand tighten capacity as rates rise on Taiwan–US lanes