Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) recently faced strong criticism after releasing an advertisement that many found inappropriate. The ad featured an image of a plane heading toward the Eiffel Tower with the caption, “Paris, we’re coming today.” While the airline’s intention was to celebrate the resumption of flights to Paris, the image reminded some viewers of past tragic incidents, leading to a significant online backlash.
PIA’s spokesperson, Abdullah Khan, addressed the controversy, admitting that the airline made a mistake. He expressed regret and apologized for causing distress or negative emotions among the public. In light of the criticism, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke out against the advertisement, calling it insensitive. As a result, an official inquiry has been launched to investigate how such a decision was approved.
Despite the controversy, PIA’s flights to Paris are performing well, with over 95% of seats currently occupied. The airline continues to operate its services while dealing with the fallout from the marketing misstep.
