Search for missing AirAsia jet to enter second day
Indonesia said it will resume search and rescue operations for a missing AirAsia plane at first light after finding no trace on Sunday.
AirAsia flight QZ8501 bound for Singapore lost contact with air traffic control half-way into its flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya, after the pilot requested a change of course due to severe weather off the island of Belitung.
The jet was carrying 162 people, mostly Indonesians, and no distress signal was received from the cockpit.
Djoko Murjatmodjo, Indonesia’s acting director general of transportation, said the pilot of the Airbus A320-200 "asked to avoid clouds by turning left and going higher to 34,000 feet."
Indonesia sent eight ships, two helicopters and three airplanes to the search area near the Bangka and Belitung Islands.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has instructed the military to help in the search and neighbouring Malaysia had also sent three vessels to the area.
Although Malaysia-based AirAsia has had a clean safety record so far, it is another blow to the country’s aviation industry following two major air disasters this year at rival Malaysia Airlines.
AirAsia’s CEO and founder Tony Fernandes is en route to Surabaya and tweeted: "My only thoughts are with the passengers and my crew. We put our hope in the SAR operation and thank the Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysian governments."
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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