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AirAsia flight QZ8501 from Indonesia to Singapore missing AirAsia Indonesia flight QZ8501 to Singapore missing
(35 minutes later)
An AirAsia airliner flying from Indonesia to Singapore with 162 people on board has lost contact with air traffic control. An AirAsia Indonesia airliner flying from Indonesia to Singapore with 162 people on board has lost contact with air traffic control.
Flight QZ8501, an Airbus plane, went missing at 07:24 (23:24 GMT), Malaysia-based AirAsia tweeted. Flight QZ8501 went missing at 07:24 (23:24 GMT), AirAsia tweeted.
Indonesian military planes are searching an area of the Java Sea. The plane, an Airbus A320-200, disappeared midway into the flight of more than two hours and no distress call was issued.
AirAsia, a budget airline, has never lost a plane, but Malaysia's national carrier Malaysia Airlines has suffered two this year - flights MH370 and MH17. Indonesian military planes and aircraft from Singapore are searching an area of the Java Sea.
The AirAsia plane disappeared about two hours into a three-hour flight. The flight left the Indonesian city of Surabaya in eastern Java at 05:20 local time (22:20 GMT) and was due to arrive in Singapore at 08:30 (00:30 GMT).
It left the Indonesian city of Surabaya in eastern Java at 05:20 local time (21:20 GMT) and was due to arrive in Singapore at 08:30 (00:30 GMT). The missing jet had requested a "deviation" from the flight path due to bad weather, AirAsia said.
The missing jet had requested a "deviation" from the flight path due to bad weather, the company said. Indonesia's transport ministry said the pilot had asked permission to climb to 38,000 ft (11,000m) to avoid thick cloud.
Indonesia's transport ministry said the pilot had asked permission to climb to 38,000 ft (11,000m) to avoid thick cloud. No distress call is reported to have been issued by the crew. AirAsia, a budget airline which owns 49% of AirAsia Indonesia, is based in Malaysia and has never lost a plane.
However, 2014 has been a difficult year for aviation in Asia: Malaysia's national carrier Malaysia Airlines has suffered two losses - flights MH370 and MH17.
Emergency contactEmergency contact
There were 155 passengers on board, the company said in a statement:There were 155 passengers on board, the company said in a statement:
The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that one Briton was on board the flight, and next of kin have been informed.
AirAsia has set up an emergency line for family or friends of those who may be on board. The number is +622 129 850 801.AirAsia has set up an emergency line for family or friends of those who may be on board. The number is +622 129 850 801.
An official with the transport ministry, Hadi Mustofa, told local media the plane lost contact over the Java Sea, between the islands of Kalimantan and Java. Dozens of passengers' relatives have been gathering at Juanda airport in Surabaya and Singapore's Changi airport to hear news.
The company's chief executive, Tony Fernandes, tweeted: "Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We must stay strong." AirAsia's Chief Executive Tony Fernandes tweeted: "Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We must stay strong."
AirAsia Indonesia is an affiliate of the Malaysian company AirAsia, operating domestic flights round the Indonesian archipelago as well as international services to Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Thailand. AirAsia Indonesia operates domestic flights round the Indonesian archipelago as well as international services to Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Thailand.
AirAsia Indonesia was banned from flying to the European Union in 2007 due to safety concerns but this was lifted in July 2010.AirAsia Indonesia was banned from flying to the European Union in 2007 due to safety concerns but this was lifted in July 2010.
The latest incident caps a tragic year for Malaysian aviation with the disappearance of one Malaysia Airlines plane and the apparent shooting down of another. The latest incident caps a tragic year for Malaysian aviation with the disappearance of one Malaysia Airlines plane and the downing of another.
Flight MH370 disappeared on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March with 239 passengers and crew. The wreckage, thought to be in southern Indian Ocean, has still not been located.Flight MH370 disappeared on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March with 239 passengers and crew. The wreckage, thought to be in southern Indian Ocean, has still not been located.
MH17 was shot down over Ukraine in July, killing all 298 on board.MH17 was shot down over Ukraine in July, killing all 298 on board.
Are you, or is someone you know, affected by this story? Do you know any of the passengers on the AirAsia flight? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with any information. Please leave a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist.Are you, or is someone you know, affected by this story? Do you know any of the passengers on the AirAsia flight? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with any information. Please leave a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist.
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