Leadership News

Skift • Gordon Smith

IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as first woman Director General, starting 1 November 2026

The IATA Board has appointed Saadia Zahidi as the association’s Director General effective 1 November 2026, succeeding Willie Walsh, who leaves the role on 31 July 2025. Zahidi will be IATA’s first female leader and first Director General since 1985 without prior airline executive experience.

12 Sources

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

SpaceWatch Global

Vast appoints Melanie Stricklan as SVP of Special Programs; names Steve Isakowitz adviser to support a pivot toward U.S. nationa

2 Sources

2026-07-23T01:21:13.611735-07:00

AINonline

Boeing faces B777X readiness delays as FAA accelerates B737 MAX/B787 certification and says the next narrowbody program is unlik

13 Sources

2026-07-22T04:07:39.339538-07:00

Payload

UK leadership at Farnborough: Burnham backs industrialization and higher defense spending, reaffirming GCAP support

4 Sources

2026-07-22T06:11:42.567655-07:00

Executive Appointments & Leadership Moves News Timeline

Skift

12 sources

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IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as first woman Director General, starting 1 November 2026 The IATA Board has appointed Saadia Zahidi as the association’s Director General effective 1 November 2026, succeeding Willie Walsh, who leaves the role on 31 July 2025. Zahidi will be IATA’s first female leader and first Director General since 1985 without prior airline executive experience.

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

IATA appoints Saadia Zahidi as first woman Director General, starting 1 November 2026

SpaceWatch Global

2 sources

Vast appoints Melanie Stricklan as SVP of Special Programs; names Steve Isakowitz adviser to support a pivot toward U.S. nationa Vast has appointed Melanie Stricklan as senior vice president of a newly created Special Programs division and named Steve Isakowitz as an adviser. The moves accompany Vast’s stated pivot toward U.S. national security missions, signaling an organizational shift to support defense-focused programs.

2026-07-23T01:21:13.611735-07:00

Vast appoints Melanie Stricklan as SVP of Special Programs; names Steve Isakowitz adviser to support a pivot toward U.S. nationa

Payload

4 sources

UK leadership at Farnborough: Burnham backs industrialization and higher defense spending, reaffirming GCAP support New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham used Farnborough to signal “industrialise the nation” alongside increased defense investment, while Defence Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized air power and innovation. Burnham also reaffirmed government backing for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). Separately, reporting says the UK plans to scrap the department overseeing UKSA.

2026-07-22T06:11:42.567655-07:00

UK leadership at Farnborough: Burnham backs industrialization and higher defense spending, reaffirming GCAP support

AINonline

13 sources

❗️

Boeing faces B777X readiness delays as FAA accelerates B737 MAX/B787 certification and says the next narrowbody program is unlik Emirates president Tim Clark said Boeing’s first B777X aircraft—produced earlier—will not be accepted due to substantial work still required after production. Separately, the FAA says it has increased Boeing-aircraft certification resources by 35%–40% and authorized airworthiness certificates for B737 MAX and B787 aircraft after the production process ends (effective July 20, 2026). Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg also indicated a successor to the B737 MAX is not expected until after financial stabilization, around the end of the decade.

2026-07-22T04:07:39.339538-07:00

Boeing faces B777X readiness delays as FAA accelerates B737 MAX/B787 certification and says the next narrowbody program is unlik

ch-aviation

1 source

GP Aviation CEO Denies Allegations Following Arrest GP Aviation CEO denies allegations tied to an arrest, according to the cluster’s available reporting. The disclosure is framed as a rebuttal by the company’s top executive following the legal action.

2026-07-22T03:19:51.191766-07:00

GP Aviation CEO Denies Allegations Following Arrest

FlightGlobal

None source

SunExpress chief eyes flexibility on growth from strong orderbook

2026-07-22T00:08:13.556183-07:00

SunExpress chief eyes flexibil

ch-aviation

1 source

Legal battle escalates in Nepal Airlines CEO saga as leadership dispute drags on A legal dispute has surfaced around Nepal Airlines’ CEO leadership saga, with the confrontation continuing to play out as the matter drags on. The case raises immediate uncertainty around top-management continuity and governance for the flag carrier.

2026-07-21T23:44:23.724718-07:00

Legal battle escalates in Nepal Airlines CEO saga as leadership dispute drags on

DefenseNews.com

8 sources

Trump’s Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 ‘Air Force One’ pulled for $400M-plus security, communications and avionics upgrades; Boeing President Trump says the Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 used as Air Force One will be temporarily removed from service while it undergoes “maxed out” upgrades focused on security and communications. The move follows reported concerns about security features, with Trump also flagging a spending envelope of roughly $400M. Separately, Boeing says two next-generation presidential jets remain targeted for delivery in 2028, but that additional spending will likely be required.

2026-07-21T09:21:56.674010-07:00

Trump’s Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 ‘Air Force One’ pulled for $400M-plus security, communications and avionics upgrades; Boeing

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Hype's Leadership section provides a curated selection of news and in-depth analysis on the trailblazers and decision-makers in the aviation, defense, and space industries. This collection includes detailed coverage of leadership changes, executive appointments, and the strategic directions set by the industry's top figures, offering a clear view of the personalities driving aerospace innovation and corporate dynamics.