Jakarta – AirAsia confirmed in a statement today that flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore had lost contact with air traffic control at 07:24 this morning.

It said that there was no further information regarding the status of the passengers and crew members on board. The aircraft was an Airbus A320-200 with the registration number PK-AXC, it added.

It said that search and rescue operations were in progress at this time, and the airline was cooperating fully and assisting the rescue service.

AirAsia has established an Emergency Call Center for the family or friends of those who may have been on board the plane. The number is: +622129850801. Source: Xinhua