'Seine 11': Pakistan Airlines' post on new flights to Paris reminds netizens of 9/11 attacks

For one of the posts, the ad graphic showed a PIA aircraft heading towards the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, symbolising the return of flights from Islamabad to the French city.

Pakistan International Airlines' announcement of the recommencement of direct flights to Paris from Islamabad did not go as planned, with netizens referring to the 9/11 New York twin tower terrorist attacks and resorting to trolling the air passenger carrier in relation to a particular post on social media platform X.

The PIA resumed direct flights between Pakistan's capital Islamabad and France's capital Paris after a gap of 4 and a half years, starting from January 10, 2025.

Announcing the news, PIA, on January 7, put out a post on X with the caption, "After a gap, #PIA is resuming our flights to #Paris #France from Jan 10, 2025. Enjoy seemless travel experience with shortest travel times, unbeatable fares and a hospitality that reminds you of home."

However, things took a rather unwanted turn for the airlines on the day of the Islamabad-Paris flights were to restart. Promoting the relaunch of flights on the aforementioned route, the PIA put out a series of posts on X on Saturday, January 10. For one of the posts, a graphic was made showing a PIA aircraft heading towards the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, symbolising the return of flights from Islamabad to the French city.

"Paris, we're coming today," the text over the graphic read on PIA's post.

The graphic, however, reminded netizens of the World Trade Centre twin tower terrorist attacks in New York on September 11, 2001. Many started referencing the 9/11 attacks on the comment section of the post, while also taking a swipe at the choice of design used for the graphic.

"Is this a threat???", commented one user.

"Seine 11," remarked another, attempting a wordplay on the 9/11 attacks and the famous Seine river of Paris.

Another referred to a PIA ad from the 70s that also eerily resembled the 9/11 tragedy and ask them to fire their design agency.

"Who made this graphic and who approved it?!" asked one user. Another quipped, "This campaign is rated 9/11." Another snarked, "Worst ad ever. It looks like you’re trying to fly an aircraft into the Eiffel Tower. What didn’t Eiffel Tower ever do to Pakistan?"

In another post, the PIA shared glimpses from the touchdown of its first Islamabad-Paris flight on January 10 at the Paris Charles de Gualle Airport, and announced that flights on this route will be operating twice weekly.

"Scenes from the touchdown of first ever flight in four and a half years on Charles de Gualle @ParisAeroport. #PIA will be operating twice weekly service between #Islamabad and #Paris," they captioned the post.