AirAsia flight from Indonesia to Singapore loses contact with air traffic control
(Image is stock photo only.)
According to online reports from several news outlets, an AirAsia flight bound from Indonesia to Singapore has lost contact with air traffic control.
AirAsia flight QZ8501 departed from Surabaya, Indonesia on Sunday morning at 5:20am local time, and is expected to arrive at Changi Airport, Singapore on the same day at 8:30am. It is said to have 162 passengers aboard.
Transport Ministry official Hadi Mustofa was reported as saying that the passenger aircraft lost contact with the Jakarta air traffic control tower at around 7:24am local time. He also added that the plane has asked for an unusual route before it lost contact.
Flight Radar posted about losing signal of AirAsia QZ8501.
Indonesia AirAsia #QZ8501 has gone missing. Flightradar24 picked up last signal 23:12 UTC https://t.co/OLdvN7xQfr pic.twitter.com/p8yH3Ws4Zi
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) December 28, 2014
AirAsia posted a statement on its Facebook page. It also changed its usual red color into gray for both its profile and cover photos.
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 has established an Emergency Call Centre that is available for family or friends of those who may have been on board the aircraft. The number is: +622129850801.
AirAsia will release further information as soon as it becomes available. Updated information will also be posted on the AirAsia website, www.airasia.com.
This incident immediately drew comparisons to another and still missing flight in Southeast Asia, Malaysia Airlines flight 370 (MH370). MH370 disappeared in March 8, 2014 while flying from Malaysia to China. The search for MH370 is still ongoing.Â
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AirAsia flight from Indonesia to Singapore loses contact with air traffic control
