AirAsia Indonesia flight QZ8501, Airbus A320-200 with the registration number PK-AXC, going from Surabaya to Singapore departed at 5.35am Indonesian time (9.35am AEDST) and was scheduled to arrive at 8.30am Singapore time (10.30am AEDST).
.............lost contact with air traffic control at 07:24hrs this morning
An Indonesian transport official said the plane had asked for an unusual route before it lost contact.
A TV report said the pilot had asked for permission to fly higher to 34,000 feet because of bad weather.
An Indonesian transport official said the plane had asked for an unusual route before it lost contact.
The head of the rescue operation from the Indonesian search and rescue agency said there were three possibilities when a plane lost contact at the height it did: engine failure, that it had ditched over the sea, or was diverted to another airport.
The other airports in the region have been contacted, but have no record of a diversion, he said.
The passengers include 138 adults, 16 children and one baby, and seven crew. Reports say no Australians were onboard.
A crisis centre has been set up at Surabaya airport and relatives have begun arriving to tearfully to view a full list of names of those who were on the flight.
One woman at the crisis centre had seven family members including her mother and brother on board the flight.
"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
http://www.theage.com.au/world/airasia-flight-from-indonesia-to-singapore-loses-contact-20141228-12e...
My prayers are with those missing on board and with their family and friends
