Breaking: AirAsia flight from Indonesia to Singapore missing - Reports

The flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore lost contact with air traffic control, Indonesian media said. (Photo courtesy: AirAsia)

An AirAsia flight from Indonesia to Singapore has gone missing on Sunday morning, officials at the airline said, Reuters news agency reported.

The flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore lost contact with air traffic control, Indonesian media said, citing a Transport Ministry official.

Indonesian media say 162 people were on board.

Transport Ministry official Hadi Mustofa said the aircraft, flight number QZ 8501, lost contact with the Jakarta air traffic control tower at 6:17 a.m local time. (2317 GMT).

He said the plane had asked for an unusual route before it lost contact.

Air Asia confirmed the news through their official Twitter account, which also included a link to a statement on their Facebook page.

''AirAsia Indonesia regrets to confirm that QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore has lost contact at 07:24hrs this morning''

 The plane was carrying six crew and 155 passengers -- 138 adults, 16 children and a baby, Transport Ministry spokesman J.A. Barata told Agence France-Presse.

“AirAsia Indonesia regrets to confirm that flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore has lost contact with air traffic control at 07:24hrs this morning,” a statement said.

“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,” Air Asia added.

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