Search suspended for missing plane with 162 people on board

The search for a missing plane has been suspended as darkness falls amid bad weather conditions.

A British national was on board the missing AirAsia flight QZ8501, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has confirmed.

The airline had originally released a statement listing the nationalities of passengers and crew as Indonesian, South Korean, Singaporean, Malaysian and French.


But Trikora Raharjo, the general manager of Surabaya’s Juanda airport, confirmed a Briton was among them. The flight has been missing since 00.24GMT.

An FCO spokesman said: ‘We are aware of an incident regarding AirAsia flight QZ8501.

‘We have been informed by the local authorities that one British national was on board. Their next of kin has been informed, and we stand ready to provide consular assistance.’

The Airbus A320-200 lost contact with air traffic control at 7.24am local time, having taken off almost two hours earlier.

The airline said 155 passengers, including 16 children and one infant, and seven crew, including two pilots, four flight attendants and one engineer, were on the flight.

AirAsia’s chief executive is Tony Fernandes, who also owns Premier League football team Queens Park Rangers.

He tweeted: ‘Thank you for all your thoughts and prays. we must stay strong.’

‘Our thoughts are with the passengers’ families as they await further news.

AirAsia said in a statement on its Facebook page: ‘At this time, search and rescue operations are being conducted under the guidance of The Indonesia of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). AirAsia Indonesia is co-operating fully and assisting the investigation in every possible way.

‘The aircraft was on the submitted flight plan route and was requesting deviation due to enroute weather before communication with the aircraft was lost while it was still under the control of the Indonesian Air Traffic Control (ATC).’

The airline said family or friends of those who may have been on the aircraft can phone their emergency call centre on 00 622129850801.

An electronic display at Changi Airport showing arriving flights lists missing Air Asia flight QZ 8501 at the bottom

A spokesman for the British Embassy in Jakarta said it was working with local authorities to establish further details.

Mr Fernandes said he was on his way to Surabaya airport.

He said: ‘My only thoughts are with the passengers and my crew.

‘We put our hope in the SAR (search and rescue) operation and thank the Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysian governments.’