Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has issued an apology following the backlash from a social media advertisement depicting a plane flying toward the Eiffel Tower. This post was intended to celebrate the airline’s resumption of flights to Paris after a safety ban was lifted.
The January 10 post on PIA’s official X account, featuring the caption “Paris, we’re coming today,” quickly attracted negative attention. Social media users drew painful comparisons to the 2001 Al-Qaeda attacks on the Twin Towers, where hijacked planes were flown into the skyscrapers, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths.
PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan expressed regret over the unintended implications of the advert, stating, “Unfortunately, this was blown out of proportion with connotations and perceptions that were not intended.” He noted that the airline received around 60,000 to 70,000 negative reactions, though this accounted for less than 10% of the total engagement.
Comments included pointed critiques, such as, “Is this (an) advertisement or threat?” and, “I’d have a word with your marketing department on this one, chief.” Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced that the prime minister has ordered an inquiry into what he labeled a “stupid” error.
Despite the controversy, Khan highlighted that PIA’s return to European airspace has been met with enthusiasm, with flights operating at over 95% capacity.
The airline has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including a history of accidents attributed to human error and allegations of fraudulent pilot licenses. A tragic incident in 2016 resulted in the deaths of over 40 people when a PIA plane caught fire due to engine failure.
In June 2020, PIA was banned from flying to the European Union, UK, and US after one of its Airbus A-320s crashed in Karachi, killing nearly 100. However, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency lifted its ban in November, citing regained confidence in the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority’s oversight capabilities.
As PIA continues to navigate its turbulent past, the airline operates flights within Pakistan and to destinations in the Gulf and Southeast Asia, striving to rebuild its reputation and restore public trust.
+ There are no comments
Add yours