A search has been launched after AirAsia Flight QZ8501 from Indonesia to Singapore goes missing.
Indonesian Transport Ministry confirmed that the plane lost contact with Jakarta air traffic controllers at 7.24am and was due to arrive in Singapore at 8.30am (local time).
According to Sky News, the Malaysia based airline was carrying 162 people on board; 155 passengers, 138 of which were adults, 16 children and one infant, two pilots and five crew members.
Hadi Mustofa, the Indonesian Transport Ministry official, said the plane had requested an unusual route before all contact between the aircraft and Indonesia’s Juanda International Airport in Surabaya was lost.
AirAsia confirmed the news in a statement issued on their Facebook page: “AirAsia Indonesia regrets to confirm that Flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore has lost contact with air traffic control at 07.24hrs this morning.
“At the present time we unfortunately have no further information regarding the status of the passengers and crew members on board, but we will keep all parties informed as more information becomes available.
“The aircraft was an Airbus A320-200 with the registration number PK-AXC. At this time, search and rescue operations are in progress and AirAsia is cooperating fully and assisting the rescue service.”
AirAsia co-founder and director, Tony Fernandes, issued the following tweets a short time ago:
On my way to Surabaya where most of the passangers are from as with my Indonesian management. Providing information as we get it.
— Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 28, 2014
My only thought are with the passangers and my crew.We put our hope in the SAR operation and … http://t.co/m95Ei6OnEP — Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 28, 2014
Lead image via Sky News
