PIA’s Paris flight ad mocked
Pakistan International Airlines
(PIA) recently made its long-awaited return to Europe with resumed flights from
Islamabad to Paris after a four-year hiatus. However, a recent advertisement
promoting the flight has sparked widespread controversy online.
The ad shows a PIA jet flying
directly toward the Eiffel Tower, set against a background featuring the
tricolor French flag. The design quickly drew attention for its unsettling
portrayal of the plane's trajectory, with many on social media drawing
comparisons to tragic historical events.
The accompanying caption, “Paris,
we’re coming today,” added fuel to the fire, prompting some users to speculate
whether the ad was unintentionally provocative. The image’s color scheme and
the plane’s direction towards the iconic landmark raised uncomfortable
parallels with the September 11 attacks, with some even circulating an altered
image showing a PIA plane flying toward the Twin Towers in New York City.
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As the ad went viral, social media
users humorously questioned the design choices and speculated about the
advertising agency responsible for the campaign. Many expressed concern that
the ad gave the impression of an ominous or hostile message, suggesting that
Pakistan was “waging a war against France.”
In response to the backlash, social
media users urged PIA to be more mindful of its design decisions in the future,
as the incident appears to be the result of a design oversight. The controversy
serves as a reminder of the importance of public perception when crafting
marketing materials.
Source: Daily Pakistan