"Yes it is true," said Djoko adding that the ministry and the Soekarno-Hatta airport authority will prepare a press conference regarding the news soon.
According to the information gathered by ANTARA News, the Air Asia plane flight QZ 8501 departed from Surabayas Juanda airport at around 05.20 Westesn Indonesian Time (WIB).
The plane was scheduled to arrive in Singapore by 08.30 am local time. Surabayas airport traffic authorities said it lost contact with the plane at around 07.55 am local time.
The plane has 155 passengers consisting of 138 adults, 16 children and an infant, on board.
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) is currently preparing to deploy its officers to search the lost plane.
(Reporting by Muhammad Razi Rahman/Translating and editing by Amie Fenia Arimbi/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
