PIA Faces Backlash Over Tone-Deaf Eiffel Tower Ad
- Fahad Bin Khalid
- January 13, 2025
- 12:00 pm
- 48
- Trending
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is facing a major backlash due to its controversial advertisement. The PIA advertisement controversy centers around an image posted on X (formerly Twitter) that showed a plane heading towards the Eiffel Tower. This post, celebrating PIA's resumed flights to Paris, quickly sparked anger and concern. Many people pointed out that the image resembled the tragic 9/11 attacks, where planes struck iconic buildings in the U.S.
The Controversial Advertisement
On Friday, PIA shared an image of a plane flying towards the Eiffel Tower. The caption read, “Paris, we’re coming today.” While the intent behind the post was to announce the airline's return to Europe after a four-year break, the image caused a stir. Netizens quickly took notice, with many expressing discomfort about the resemblance to the 9/11 attacks.
Pakistani PR expert Omar R. Qureshi voiced his disapproval, calling the design “completely tone deaf.” He questioned whether the designers of the ad understood the implications of a plane heading towards a famous landmark like the Eiffel Tower, especially after the 9/11 tragedy.
A Mistake That Got Attention
PIA's advertisement received negative feedback, nut it also brought attention to the airline. There’s an old saying in the world of marketing: "There’s no such thing as bad publicity." Despite the backlash, the ad caught the media’s attention worldwide. News outlets covered the controversy, making PIA’s name known to a broader audience. One user pointed out, "Without the terrible design of their post, none of us would even know that PIA is flying to Paris now."
Though critics widely condemned the ad, it sparked one of the most hilarious social media responses. Users shared jokes and memes about the design. One person wrote, “They already lost Notre Dame once—now you’re taking the Eiffel Tower away?” Another humorous post showed a picture of Osama bin Laden with the caption, "Newly hired Graphic Designer at PIA."
Not the First Advertising Blunder
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time PIA has faced controversy over an advertisement. The airline has a history of marketing blunders. After the Eiffel Tower post, users on X shared a similar advertisement from the 1970s. This earlier ad depicted a PIA plane flying over the Twin Towers in New York City. Though this ad predated the 9/11 attacks, it has since been considered highly insensitive due to the tragic events that followed.
PIA's history of controversial ads highlights a pattern of poorly thought-out marketing choices. The airline’s failure to consider the potential reactions to its designs has often led to backlash.
PIA Apologizes and Removes the Post
After facing intense backlash, PIA deleted the controversial post and issued an apology. The airline claimed that the design was a mere coincidence and not intended to offend anyone. However, many social media users remained skeptical of the explanation, questioning how the airline did not foresee the negative reactions the ad would provoke.
In the apology, PIA stated that the post was an unintentional mistake. Despite the apology, the damage had already been done. The post had already gone viral, and many continued to criticize the airline for its lack of awareness.
A Lesson in Sensitivity
As we approach 2025, PIA must learn from this experience. Potential impacts should be considered while making marketing decisions. Advertisements that seem harmless can easily be misunderstood, especially in today’s sensitive social media environment.
Moving forward, PIA must focus on creating more thoughtful and informed advertisements that resonate positively with the public. If the airline fails to do so, it could face more online outrage in the future.
For More Such Blogs, Explore Genuine Gaze
