There are airlines that symbolize innovation, and then there’s Pakistan International Airlines ( PIA ) —an entity so hilariously unpredictable that it’s essentially become the aviation world’s sitcom. PIA has firmly established itself as the king of turbulent headlines, from people who reportedly stand in the corridors on overbooking flights to sacrificing animals for “divine intervention.”
This day, PIA has outdone itself. An ostensibly official post from the airline’s X handle ( formerly Twitter ) sent shockwaves through the internet, especially curious since X has been largely restricted in Pakistan. The post featured an picture of a PIA plane apparently nosediving into the Eiffel Tower, accompanied by the comment:” Paris, we are coming today”. The unfavorable imagery immediately drew comparisons to an ancient PIA advertisement that depicted the shadow of a plane dangerously cast over the Twin Towers.
The computer, as expected, went into overdrive. User @zain175 bitterly remarked,” Initially, they wanted to dark temples, then they’re going straight for sights. Bold selling strategy”! However, @dexter7695 shared the graphic with the message,” PIA: where every trip feels like an episode of ‘ Last Destination.'” Another person, @sanjeevsanyal, joked,” This advertising method is so terrible, it might actually be genius”.
The post also brought back memories of PIA’s greatest visits. @muzairb quipped,” Initially it was animals, then it’s global landmarks. PIA not disappoints”. @cruindggn added,” At this point, PIA if only name their flight to ‘ Oops Air’ and own it”. User @saikirankannan chimed in with,” Second halt: the Leaning Tower of Pisa.’ We’re really helping it slim a little more.'”
People couldn’t help but link the incident to Pakistan’s questionable ties to 9/11 and Al-Qaeda. While none of the 9/11 jihadists were Muslim, the subsequent discovery of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad cast a dark over the country’s global standing. In fact, there’s a joke about how Pervez Musharraf, a former Pakistani top, calls George W. Bush to express his condolences before unintentionally calling before the event.
Unwittingly, the tweet struck a chord with dark humor and terrible timing, leaving some to wonder who approved of such a platform for public use.
PIA’s PR mistake is just another in a long series of its renowned failures, but it has, once again, captured the industry’s mind for all the wrong causes.
The Greatest Visits of Pakistan International Airlines
- Standing Passenger Incident: reportedly allowing a crowded passenger to sail standing in the aisle without chairs.
- The Goat Sacrifice: A ground crew sacrificed a dark sheep at Islamabad Airport for good luck, sparking international mockery.
- The Forgotten Passenger: While the aircraft was taking off without them, leaving a customer stranded in a vacation air-port.
- Paris, We’re Coming: The now-infamous picture of a helicopter apparently jumping into the Eiffel Tower, proving that PIA’s branding missteps remain tournament.
Like it or hate it, PIA often keeps us entertained—whether it’s on the road, in the clouds, or on cultural advertising.
