PIA Ad Sparks Backlash: Plane and Eiffel Tower Image Criticized

With European operations restarting, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom.

The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham. However, as PIA celebrates its return to Europe, a promotional campaign has sparked controversy.

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On Friday, January 10, 2025, pia airline announced the resumption of its flights between Islamabad and Paris, marking the end of a years-long ban imposed by the European Union due to safety concerns.

The airline commemorated the occasion with celebratory events, including a welcome ceremony at Islamabad Airport featuring a replica of the Arc de Triomphe. The PIA aircraft’s tail was adorned with an Eiffel Tower design, while the nose bore the phrase “I love Paris.”

Despite the excitement surrounding the milestone, a social media post by PIA has drawn backlash. The post featured an image of a pia a380 plane alongside the Eiffel Tower set against the French tricolour, captioned, “Paris, we’re coming today.”

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Critics quickly pointed out that the design appeared to depict the plane flying directly into the Eiffel Tower, evoking memories of the tragic 9/11 terror attacks. The image sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many users condemning it as “tone-deaf.”

Comments ranged from humorous to critical, with one user writing, “Is that a threat?” while another sarcastically noted, “Whoever is in charge of your account and graphics needs a history lesson post-9/11.”

This controversy overshadowed PIA’s efforts to rebuild its reputation and operations. In 2025, the airline plans to return 23 stored aircraft to service, including eight Boeing 777s, 12 Airbus A320s, and three ATRs, as it seeks to regain its position in the global aviation market.