Internet users have responded sarcastically to a post by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announcing the resumption of its flights to France. PIA's X post shows a plane flying in the direction of the famous Eiffel Tower. Social media has gone crazy over the image combined with the phrase "Paris, we are coming today." People have also compared it to another PIA advertisement from 1979 that featured one of their planes illuminating the New York City Twin Towers. Thousands of people were killed in terror assaults that demolished the buildings.

Additionally, another line appears on the image, although it is written in a much smaller type. The text says, "Flights between Islamabad and Paris will resume on January 10, 2025." The airlines announced in other posts that the flights will run every Friday and Sunday, two days a week.

The post has received over 12 million views since it was shared. The majority of the responses have been negative, with many criticising the advertisement's design. "This time, you can not be serious! It happened in the 1970s. Get rid of your designer! This content was written and posted by an individual.

In addition to France, Pakistan's state-owned airline, PIA, was banned by EU authorities four years ago after multiple fatal crashes and a pilot's licence scandal.  Four years later, the first flight to Paris departed Islamabad at 12:40 p.m. (07:40 GMT).

In response to the backlash, the airline issued a statement clarifying that the ad was purely promotional and that there was no intention to cause alarm or offense. “We sincerely apologize for any misunderstanding caused by our recent campaign. We value our customers and their sentiments,” the statement read.

The incident highlights the importance of sensitivity and cultural awareness in advertising, particularly in industries like aviation where safety and trust are paramount. While the campaign sought to generate excitement, it inadvertently sparked a global discussion on the fine line between creativity and insensitivity.