How PIA’s Controversial Paris Ad is Pure Marketing Genius

After a challenging four years, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) made a triumphant return to European skies. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted its ban on the airline, originally imposed in 2020 due to safety violations and a major crash linked to pilot licensing issues. This marked a fresh start for PIA and an opportunity to rebuild its tarnished reputation.

To celebrate the milestone, PIA launched an ad announcing its flights from Islamabad to Paris. However, instead of applause, the campaign sparked outrage—and massive attention.

The Ad That Sparked Controversy

PIA’s advertisement featured an airplane flying toward the Eiffel Tower with the tagline, "Paris, we're coming today."‍

While the message aimed to highlight the airline’s return to Europe, many drew parallels to imagery from the September 11 attacks. Social media erupted, and critics called the ad tasteless and insensitive.

The controversy wasn’t confined to online platforms. It escalated to the national stage, with members of Pakistan’s parliament addressing the issue and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordering an inquiry.

The Marketing Impact of Controversy

From a marketing perspective, this incident shows how controversy can amplify brand awareness. The ad, though criticized, put PIA in the spotlight worldwide.

Social media users shared and debated the campaign, creating organic buzz that no traditional campaign could have matched. The sheer volume of conversations, hashtags, and even memes ensured PIA became a trending topic globally.

However, the incident highlights a critical point: controversy-driven attention is not always positive. While it can increase visibility, it can also harm trust if a brand is perceived as insensitive or out of touch.

What Brands Can Learn from This

Controversy marketing is a high-risk, high-reward strategy.

‍When done deliberately and thoughtfully, it can make a brand stand out in a crowded market. However, brands must be mindful of cultural and historical sensitivities to avoid unintended backlash.

The goal should be to spark conversation without offending or alienating audiences.

Need bold, creative marketing and branding strategies that make an impact? Hire Ali Saeed for marketing Kuwait projects across the GCC and Kuwait. Let’s create something remarkable together.