- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 04:31 05:49 12:21 15:48 18:47 20:05
People queue at an AirAsia counter at Changi Airport in Singapore December 28, 2014. Indonesia's Transport Ministry official Hadi Mustofa said an AirAsia aircraft, flight number QZ 8501from Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore, lost contact with the Jakarta air traffic control tower on Sunday at 6:17 a.m local time. (2317 GMT). The Airbus 320-200 had 155 passengers and crew on board, another Indonesian Transport official said. (REUTERS)
Even as unconfirmed media reports emerge of possible theories of the missing Air Asia plane, people around the globe continue to pray for the safe return of the 162 people on board flight QZ8501.
The air traffic control lost all contact with the Air Asia flight bound for Singapore from Indonesia in the early hours of Sunday, with 16 children and one infant also on board.
Anxious families await news...Click here for pictures
Dubai resident Deepak Bakshi, who will be flying to Indonesia aboard Air Asia shortly, spoke to Emirates 24|7 saying: “Waking up to such horrific news is beyond scary. Even as we booked for our holiday in Indonesia, we were informed the weather was very bad with thunderstorms and torrential rain in the area.
“To hear that bad weather caused such an incident just makes you even more nervous, right before flying over the same region. I just pray for the safe return of those 162 on board. No one should suffer like this.”
Another Dubai resident, Ankush Bharwani, who is also flying to Indonesia via Air Asia for his New Year celebrations, said: “I am scheduled to fly on-board the airline from Singapore in the next 24 hours. Hearing such terrible news makes you nervous but you can’t blame the airline for the incident.
“I am nervous, yes, but I won’t be cancelling my travel plans. Right now, I just pray those on board make it safe back home.”
Meanwhile, social media is abuzz with people saying they are ‘shocked’ and ‘scared’ over another plane missing this year, following Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 going missing on March 8, when it took off from Kuala Lumpur.
Evanee Dilla tweeted: “Don’t know what to say or write. Just heart-breaking. Thoughts and prayers for the 162 on board Air Asia flight QZ8501 and their loved ones.”
Anas Mallick said: “Here’s hoping the fate of those on-board Air Asia QZ8501 is not unknown like its current flight status.”
Asreethh Reddi writes: “Another missing case – Air Asia flight goes missing. Why do these happen again and again?”
Abhinay Verma wrote: “Extremely terrifying this. Seems South East Asia is the new Bermuda triangle.”
Shripad Jagdale said: “MH370, MH17 and now Air Asia. 2014 has been a difficult year for aviation industry in Asia-PacifiShawn Jugesur asks: “How does a plane go missing out of the sky?”
Nataniele R tweeted : “For those who are on broad Air Asia QZ8501, I can’t imagine what you have gone through. I hope you are found safe and sound. Prayers to families.”
Meanwhile, other carriers, including Malaysian Airlines, Jet Airways and SpiceJet have also come out in support of the missing Air Asia flight.
Air Asia has also established an Emergency Call Centre for family or friends of those who may have been on board the aircraft.
For Indonesians, the number is: +622129850801
For Singaporeans, the number is: +60321795950
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