The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has made an unexpected choice for its next leader, selecting an economist from outside the airline industry for the first time in 40 years.

According to Skift, IATA has named Saadia Zahidi as its next director general. Zahidi, a managing director and board member at the World Economic Forum (WEF), will succeed Willie Walsh and become the first woman to lead the airline trade body.

Zahidi is set to start on November 1. Walsh, who has led IATA for five years, will begin as CEO at IndiGo on August 3.

The appointment marks a significant departure from tradition. Walsh, former CEO of IAG, proved an unusually effective operator for an organization more known for technical standard-setting than public presence. His successor faces a tricky comparison.

Zahidi comes from a different world. She spent more than two decades at the WEF, where she founded and heads its Centre for the New Economy and Society. She has never run an airline.

The gamble is whether member carriers will take their cues from an economist without airline operational experience. IATA represents some 290 airlines worldwide, and its director general must navigate complex industry issues from safety standards to environmental regulations.

Zahidi’s appointment signals a potential shift in focus for IATA, possibly toward broader economic and societal challenges facing aviation. Her background at the WEF, which convenes global leaders on economic and social issues, could bring a fresh perspective to the airline industry’s trade body.

The move has surprised many in the aviation sector, but it also reflects a growing trend of organizations seeking leaders with diverse backgrounds. Whether this gamble pays off will depend on Zahidi’s ability to earn the trust of airline executives and effectively represent their interests on the global stage.