Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) apologizes over offensive ad
Pakistan International Airlines
(PIA) issued an apology on Thursday after facing criticism for an advertisement
that featured a plane angled toward the Eiffel Tower. The ad, shared on X
(formerly Twitter) on January 10, was intended to celebrate the airline's
resumption of flights to European Union destinations after a four-year
suspension.
The advertisement depicted an
aircraft against the French flag, accompanied by the caption, "Paris,
we're coming today." However, many on social media perceived the imagery
as reminiscent of the September 11 attacks, sparking widespread backlash.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
ordered an investigation into the matter, while Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar
described the ad as an act of "stupidity."
Responding to the controversy, PIA
spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez clarified that the advertisement was meant to
highlight the airline’s return to Europe and expressed surprise at the negative
reactions. “We apologize to those who felt hurt by the advertisement,” Hafeez
stated, adding that the Eiffel Tower was chosen for its global significance and
was not intended to cause offense.
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The European Union had banned PIA
flights in 2020 following a tragic crash in Karachi that resulted in 97
fatalities. Investigations attributed the crash to pilot error and exposed
significant issues with pilot certifications, including allegations of exam
fraud involving nearly a third of Pakistani pilots. The ban reportedly cost PIA
an estimated $150 million annually in lost revenue.
Source: The Nation