Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) recently announced the resumption of flights between Islamabad and Paris with a post on social media, but the announcement quickly attracted sarcastic remarks and criticism from internet users. The post shared on X, features an image of a plane heading towards the iconic Eiffel Tower, with the caption, “Paris, we’re coming today.”

However, the ad’s design has drawn comparisons to a controversial PIA flight advertisement from 1979, which depicted one of its aircraft casting a shadow over the Twin Towers in New York City before the tragic terrorist attacks that destroyed the towers.

The 1979 Ad Comparison Draws Reactions

The visual accompanying the recent post also includes a much smaller line stating, “Resuming flights between Islamabad and Paris from January 10, 2025.” Despite this important detail, the rest of the image, with its dramatic tone, sparked reactions from social media users. Many criticized the ad for its outdated design, comparing it to the 1979 campaign that raised eyebrows even then.

Following the release of the post, it quickly went viral, amassing over 12 million views. However, the reactions were far from positive. Internet users lambasted the ad for its tone, with many calling it “unprofessional” and “inappropriate.” One user wrote, “You can’t be serious this time! This was back in the 1970s. Fire your designer!”

You can’t be serious this time! This was back in 70s. Fire your designer! pic.twitter.com/ar2XkIDuHR

— Muhammad Uzair Balagamwala (@muzairb) January 10, 2025

Another commented, “Looks like a threat rather than an advertisement.” Others questioned how such an ad was approved in the first place, with one user asking, “How did this ad get approved?”

PIA Resumption Paris Flight After Four Years

In addition to the backlash, the airline also shared that flights between Islamabad and Paris will operate twice a week, every Friday and Sunday, marking a return after a four-year hiatus. PIA had faced several setbacks over the years, including being banned from the European Union after deadly crashes and a scandal involving a pilot’s license. The first flight to Paris departed from Islamabad around 12:40 PM (0740 GMT) on January 10, 2025.

Despite the criticism, PIA remains committed to its international services, hoping to restore its reputation with the resumption of the Paris route.