After three years, PIA’s Boeing 777 lands in Paris amid social media backlash
PIA has resumed flights to Europe, marking its return to the region after a three-year ban by EASA. The inaugural flight to Paris sparked social media controversy, but also highlighted the airline’s efforts to restore its reputation and expand its fleet
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has reconnected Europe with Pakistan after more than three years. Flight PK 749, operated by a Boeing 777-200ER (registration AP-BGK), departed Islamabad International Airport on January 6 at 12:40 PM (local time) with 313 passengers on board. It landed at Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris at 4:40 PM after an eight-hour flight.
This marks a significant milestone in PIA’s operational recovery, as it regains access to European airspace, which it lost in June 2020. The suspension followed a scandal involving forged pilot licenses that led the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to impose a ban. Consequently, PIA had to suspend all flights to the continent.
Controversy on social media over promotional campaign
PIA’s return sparked controversy on social media. On the day of the inaugural flight, the airline posted a promotional image with the caption, “Paris, we’re coming today,” featuring a plane heading toward the Eiffel Tower, set against a background in the colors of the French flag.
Although intended to celebrate the return, the image reignited memories of a 1970s PIA advertising campaign that depicted the shadow of a Boeing 747 over the Twin Towers to promote flights to New York. That campaign, created decades before the September 11 attacks, has drawn criticism in the past for its unintended associations.
This time, social media users—some humorously, others critically—questioned whether the visual might evoke historical aviation tragedies. Regardless of the backlash, PIA’s marketing managed to draw attention: the Twitter post garnered over 20 million impressions, far surpassing the usual 30,000 impressions on their social media posts.
Pending authorizations in the United Kingdom and United States
Despite its return to Paris, PIA still lacks authorization to operate flights to the United Kingdom and the United States, two of its most strategic markets. The airline stated it is actively working with British authorities to restore flights to London-Heathrow, Manchester, and Birmingham.
Fleet expansion plans
To support its recovery and capitalize on opportunities after the EASA ban lift, PIA announced it would maintain eight Boeing 777s and eight Airbus A320s in operation. The airline also plans to add two additional ATR aircraft this year, strengthening its international network.
Corresponsal en Venezuela de Aviacionline. Editor. Estudiante de Ingeniería.
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