London, Dec 28 - AirAsia flight QZ8501 travelling from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore with 162 people on board has lost contact with air traffic control at 07:24hrs, said the company.

According to BBC, the airlines' authorities said that the rescue operations and search for the flight were under way.

An official with the transport ministry said that the plane lost contact over the Java Sea between Surabaya and Singapore.

He also said that the plane had asked for an unusual route before it lost contact.

The statement from the company said that they did not have further information regarding the passengers and crew members on board and that they would keep all parties informed as and when they receive more information.
(ANI)