Italian airline Alitalia has apologized for a controversial promotional video featuring an actor in blackface portraying President Barack Obama after social media users lashed out at the airline over what they called a racist move.
The ad, which ran in Italian, was part of a series of videos promoting Alitalia's new nonstop route from Rome to Washington, D.C. The companion videos feature other American presidents, including President Trump, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln along with the hashtag #WhereIsWashington.
Another Twitter user said they planned to boycott the airline over its misstep.
"We have tons of American Airlines that fly to Italy. You can take the train from there. You do not have to give your money to Alitalia until they get this [off] their site," said @spratelydenise.
An Alitalia spokesperson initially defended the video, telling The New York Times that the actor causing the star was not Caucasian and that his makeup was merely meant to "highlight features." The airline did not immediately reply to CBS MoneyWatch's request for comment.
It later said it was removing the video from its social media channels.
"Alitalia deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the promotional video on our Washington route. It has since been removed. For our Company, respect for everyone is mandatory, it was never our intention to hurt anyone and we will learn from what has happened," the company said in a statement on Twitter.
Alitalia is one of a handful of large Italian corporations recently accused of racial insensitivity.
Gucci, in February, pulled a wool balaclava sweater from its shelves after social media users said it reminded them of blackface.
Prada, last year, was attacked for using window display figurines that also evoked blackface imagery.