Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed flights from Islamabad to Paris, announcing the development with an advertisement that has drawn mixed reactions online.

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'Paris, we are coming today'

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PIA shared an image featuring a plane appearing to nose-dive towards the Eiffel Tower, alongside the caption, “Paris, we are coming today.”

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The image and quote quickly caught the attention of social media users, with many responding with confusion, humour, and criticism. Some compared the imagery to the 9/11 attacks on New York's World Trade Center.

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This is not the first time PIA’s advertisements have faced backlash. Users on X also pointed out a controversial advertisement from the 1970s, which showed the shadow of a PIA aircraft over the Twin Towers in New York City.

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One user commented, “First, they wanted to shadow skyscrapers, now they’re going straight for landmarks. Bold marketing strategy!” Another said, “PIA: where every flight feels like an episode of ‘Final Destination.’” A third wrote, “Next stop: the Leaning Tower of Pisa. ‘We’re just helping it lean a little more.’”

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Despite the criticism, the airline’s return to Europe is a significant milestone. PIA resumed its operations in Europe on Friday, with the inaugural flight to Paris marking the end of a four-year ban imposed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) due to safety concerns.

The ban, which began in June 2020, followed a plane crash in Karachi and raised questions about the ability of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority to meet international safety standards.

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The first flight on the reinstated route, PK-749, was officially flagged off by Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif, PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, and other senior officials.

(With inputs from agencies)