Singapore-bound AirAsia flight missing

An AirAsia flight on its way to Singapore from Surabaya, on the Indonesian island of Java, has lost contact with air traffic control, according to local media.

Indonesian Transport Ministry official Hadi Mustofa was cited by Indonesian media as saying the aircraft, flight number QZ 8501, lost contact with the Jakarta air traffic control tower at 6:27 a.m. local time (23:17 UTC).

The minister said the plane had asked for an unusual route before it lost contact. A total of 155 passengers and seven crew are reported to be on board.

AirAsia confirmed the flight was missing with a tweet on its official Twitter page, which had its logo dulled from red to grey. It gave a different timing for the point at which contact had been lost with radar.

"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," said a statement from the airline.

"At this time, search and rescue operations are in progress and AirAsia is cooperating fully and assisting the rescue service."

The aircraft was an Airbus A320-200 with the registration number PK-AXC.

The flight had been due in Singapore at 00:30 UTC. The Singapore airport has described the status of the flight on its website as "delayed."

Indonesian media said that, of the passengers on board, 149 were Indonesian and three were from Korea, with one each from Singapore, Britain and Malaysia.

The plane was believed to be over the Java Sea between Kalimantan and the Java islands when it lost contact.

The Singapore aviation authority said it was informed by Jakarta ground control about half an hour after contact was lost, adding that Singapore's air force and the navy have also been activated.

AirAsia has established an emergency hotline for family or friends of those who may have been on board the aircraft. The number is: +62 21 29 850 801.

rc/cmk (AP, Reuters)