Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed its flights to Europe after a four-year hiatus. This significant event has marked a milestone for the national flag carrier, especially since the airline was suspended from operating in Europe due to concerns over compliance with international aviation standards. However, what’s causing a stir is how PIA chose to advertise its first flight to Paris after all this time.
On Friday, PIA posted an image on X (formerly known as Twitter) featuring a plane heading towards the Eiffel Tower. The caption alongside read: “Paris, we’re coming today.” Shortly after, the post caught the attention of netizens, who were visibly concerned because it resembled the 9/11 attack.
Read More: First PIA Flight to Paris Takes Off After Four-Year Ban
Soon after, Pakistani PR expert and former political adviser Omar R. Qureshi took to X and slammed the ad, quoting it as “completely tone deaf.” He also added that the advert left him “truly speechless.”
“Did the idiot who designed this graphic not see a PIA plane heading for the Eiffel Tower? One of Europe’s iconic landmarks. Do they not know about the 9/11 tragedy – which used planes to attack buildings? Did they not think that this would be perceived in similar fashion?” he posted.
Is All Publicity Good Publicity?
If we go by the old books, bad publicity is still publicity. The ad, because of its unusual and outrageous nature, caught the attention of media all over the world. International news channels covered how PIA messed up big time, but simultaneously, everyone was talking about the airline they had once forgotten about.
One user posted on X, saying: “Let’s be honest, without the terrible design of their post, none of us would even know that PIA is flying to Paris now.”
Netizens took to the internet, responding to PIA’s post in what could only be considered some of the most hilarious responses the internet has seen in a while. Some of them deserve a special mention:
“They already lost Notre Dame once – now you’re taking the Eiffel Tower away?” wrote one.
Another posted a picture of Osama bin Laden with the caption “Newly hired Graphic Designer at PIA.”
While some might take offence, let’s be honest: the internet is savage when it needs to be.
This is Not the First Time
If you think this is the first time PIA has messed up with its advertisement, you’re wrong. The Arline has a history of controversial advertisements. Following the recent post, users on X shared a similar, or even worse, PIA ad from the 1970s. This ad depicts a shadow of a PIA plane over the Twin Towers in New York City. Since the 9/11 attack, this design is considered highly insensitive. Even though the advertisement came long before the September 11 attack, the context has made it a source of controversy.
After the backlash, PIA deleted its post from X and apologised, saying it was an unintentional coincidence. As we head into 2025, we can only hope that PIA makes better, more informed decisions because if they don’t, the internet is always here to give them a reality check.
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