Thread: AirAsia plane gone missing

AirAsia flight QZ8501 from Indonesia to Singapore loses contact with air traffic control - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)


AirAsia flight QZ8501 with 162 people on board lost contact with air traffic control en route from Indonesia to Singapore this morning, the airline has confirmed.

AirAsia said a search and research operation has been launched for the missing Airbus A320-200, which went missing 7:24am.

The plane left Juanda International Airport in Surabaya in east Java at 5:20am and was expected to arrive in Singapore at 8:30am.

The Indonesia transport ministry said the plane was carrying seven crew and 155 passengers, including 138 adults, 16 children and a baby.

"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 airline said.

"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."

Indonesian transport ministry spokesman JA Barata said authorities were made aware of the missing flight at 7:55am.

Indonesian media are reporting the flight had 149 Indonesians, three Koreans, one Singaporean, one Briton and one Malaysian person on board.

Indonesia Transport Ministry official Hadi Mustofa said the plane had asked for an unusual route before it lost contact with air traffic control.

The Singapore airport said on its website the status of the flight was "delayed".

AirAsia is a budget airline based in Malaysia.

Not good news.

Fairfax Indonesia correspondent Michael Bachelard says search and rescue vessels are still eight hours away from the area where flight QZ8501 last made contact.

8 hours :S

already been missing 12 hours

It is not actually a Malaysian aircraft but Indonesion - is owned by AirAsia Indonesia the same airline that was banned from flying in the EU a few years back.

AirAsia is an amalgam of different autonomous airlines partnered together with the same basic livery.

Still not found - is a bit of a worry.

Originally Posted by garrycol

It is not actually a Malaysian aircraft but Indonesion - is owned by AirAsia Indonesia

thread title changed.

was first reported as AirAsia not AirAsia Indonesia

im going to speculate, but im guessing this has something to do with it,

A news report I heard tonight said the pilot asked for another route to get around a storm (as above).

Originally Posted by Scouse

A news report I heard tonight said the pilot asked for another route to get around a storm (as above).

not uncommon (as the news was reporting)
or a higher/lower flight level