12:48 pm
12:34 pm
"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," an AirAsia statement says.
12:25 pm
An official with the transport ministry, Hadi Mustofa, told local media the plane lost contact over the Java sea, which lies between Surabaya and Singapore.
Search and rescue operation launched after the flight goes missing. - BBC reports quoting Malaysian officials
12:20 pm
Malaysia's Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai is expected to hold a news conference on the missing flight at Kuala Lumpur International Airport soon.
12:15 pm
At this time, search and rescue operations are in progress and AirAsia is cooperating fully and assisting the rescue service. 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. AirAsia will release further information as soon as it becomes available. Updated information will also be posted on the AirAsia website, www.airasia.com.
12:10 pm
The plane is carrying seven crew and 155 passengers - 138 adults, 16 children and a baby. - ABC News
11:30 am, Dec 28 Beijing Time
An AirAsia flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore lost contact with air traffic control on Sunday, Indonesian media said, citing a Transport Ministry official.
Transport Ministry official Hadi Mustofa said the aircraft, flight number QZ8501, lost contact with the Jakarta air traffic control tower at 6:17 am local time. (2317 GMT).
He said the plane had asked for an unusual route before it lost contact.