Pakistan International Airlines has apologised for its recent advertisement that triggered a massive row after it evoked memories of the 2001 terror attacks in the USA.

PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez told The Nation: "We apologize to those who felt hurt by the advertisement."

He said PIA did not intend to hurt people.

Following severe backlash, Pakistan  PM Shehbaz Sharif was forced to order an investigation into the incident.

The advertisement in question was created to celebrate the resumption of flight service between Pakistan's Islamabad city and French capital Paris.

The PIA shared the image on X which showed a flight heading towards the Eiffel Tower.

With the French flag in the backdrop, the image was shared with the caption: "Paris, we're coming today."

On 9th September 2001, shocking the world, two planes hijacked by al-Qaeda terrorists crashed into Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

The attack mastermind, Osama Bin Laden, was killed during a military operation in Pakistan's Abbottabad city on May 2, 2011.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has lifted its ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from operating in the EU bloc in November last year.

EASA suspended PIA’s authorisation to operate in the EU in June 2020 over concerns about the ability of Pakistani authorities and its Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to ensure compliance with international aviation standards.