Pakistan's PIA Paris flight promo revives 9/11 fear, internet asks 'was this ad made by Al-Qaeda?'
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed flights to Paris on 10 January 2025, marking the end of a four-year ban imposed by the European Union over safety concerns. The airline, which faced severe scrutiny following several crashes and a pilot licensing scandal, now operates flights twice weekly, on Fridays and Sundays. However, its celebratory advertisement announcing the resumption has ignited widespread criticism online.
The Controversial Advertisement
PIA’s promotional graphic featured a plane appearing to fly towards the Eiffel Tower, accompanied by the tagline, “Paris, we’re coming today.” A smaller caption noted the resumption of flights between Islamabad and Paris. While seemingly innocuous, the design drew instant comparisons to PIA’s infamous 1979 ad showing a Boeing 747 casting its shadow over New York’s Twin Towers—a chilling image in hindsight following the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Social Media Erupts
The advertisement quickly went viral, amassing over 12 million views. Criticism poured in, with users questioning the ad’s approval process. One user wrote, “You can’t be serious this time! This was back in the 1970s. Fire your designer!” Another remarked, “Is this info or a warning?” Satirist and columnist Kamlesh Singh added, “Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Or is it a threat?”
Artificial Intelligence(AI)
Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI
By — Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer
Artificial Intelligence(AI)
Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows
