Families Turn to Prayer for Passengers on Flight QZ8501

SURABAYA – AVIATION – Earlier in Surabaya, the management of AirAsia along with the Governor of East Java, National Search and Rescue Agency of Republic of Indonesia (BASARNAS), Airport Authority of Indonesia, Airport Operator (Angkasa Pura I) met with the members of the families to update them on the latest developments and reconfirmed their commitment to providing assistance in every possible way.

A crisis center is filling up fast in Indonesia.

Relatives of the missing AirAsia passengers gather in Surabaya, where the plane took off Sunday morning.

This grandfather says he’s anxious to learn more.

Jacob Tanubun, a relative of a missing passenger,  said, “We are very surprised and very sad. Our grandchild was going to Singapore for a holiday but the accident happened.”

The plane lost contact with air traffic control as it traveled from Surabaya to Singapore.

Officials say the pilots had requested to change altitude to avoid clouds.

AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes “I think Indonesian authorities are doing their best now in the search and rescue. We don’t want to speculate any more right now. Of course the plane has been missing for twelve hours and there’s a acute sense of pressure they get but they stay strong.”

Sunu Widyatmoko, CEO of AirAsia Indonesia said, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this incident. We are cooperating with the relevant authorities to the fullest extent to determine the cause of this incident. In the meantime, our main priority is keeping the families of our passengers and colleagues informed on the latest developments.”

“We will do everything possible to support them as the investigation continues and have already mobilized a support team to help take care of their immediate needs, including accommodation and travel arrangements. A briefing center has also been set up in Surabaya for the families.”

For the families in Singapore, there is also an emergency briefing room at Changi International Airport Terminal Two, where AirAsia Indonesia will be providing regular updates.

We have also established an Emergency Call Centre that is available for those seeking information about relatives or friends who may have been on board the flight. The number is +622129270811.

At this time, search and rescue operations are being conducted, under the guidance of National Search and Rescue Agency Republic of Indonesia (BASARNAS). AirAsia Indonesia is cooperating fully and assisting the investigation in every possible way.

The aircraft was an Airbus A320-200 with the registration number PK-AXC. There were 155 passengers on board, with 137 adults, 17 children and 1 infant. Also on board were 2 pilots and 4 cabin crewand one engineer on board.

The captain in command had a total of 20,537 flying hours of which, 6,100 flying hours were with AirAsia Indonesia on the Airbus A320. The first office officer had a total of 2,275 flying hours with AirAsia Indonesia.