The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) confirmed in media release issued on Sunday (Dec 28) that a Singaporean was on board the missing AirAsia flight QZ8501.
CAAS says it has contacted the relatives of the Singaporean and are providing them with all necessary assistance and support.
In a separate statement issued on Sunday (Dec 28), CAAS said flight QZ8501 was scheduled to arrive at 8.30am local time from Surabaya.
The statement added that Singapore air traffic control was informed of this loss of contact at 7.54am (Singapore time) by Jakarta air traffic control. The aircraft was in the Indonesian Flight Information Region (FIR) when contact was lost.
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Changi Airport Group (CAG) said that as of 6.30pm (28 Dec), 47 relatives and friends of 57 passengers on board QZ8501 have registered at the Relatives' Holding Area at Changi Airport's Terminal 2.
The Singapore Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC), managed by CAAS, had offered assistance to BASARNAS, the Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency at 9.30am on Sunday, offering planes and ships to assist in the search. Indonesia accepted the offer at 2.30pm.
Singapore's Ministry of Defence said one C-130 aircraft arrived at 6:30pm (28 Dec) and carried out search-and-locate operations for two hours. It left the search area after Indonesian authorities called off the search for the night.
Two more planes will set off early on Monday morning to join the search. CAAS said it will also send an officer to the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency in Jakarta to assist in the coordination with the Indonesian authorities on the search operations.
In addition, on 28 Dec at 11:55pm, the RSS Supreme Formidable-class frigate and the RSS Valour issile corvette, were also sent from Changi Naval Base despite the short notice.
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Arrangements for local accommodation or for travel to Indonesia have been made for next-of-kin of passengers aboard the missing AirAsia plane, says Changi Airport Group (CAG).
As of 6.30pm, more than 40 relatives and friends of 57 passengers on board the Airbus A320-200 have registered at a holding area set up for them at Changi Airport's Terminal 2. Sixteen next-of-kin have taken up the offer to fly to Surabaya on Sunday night, said a CAG spokesperson.
Some passengers who arrived in Changi from Indonesian cities, including Surabaya and Bandung, told Channel NewsAsia that there was nothing unusual in the weather. It was slightly cloudy but there was no delay in the aircraft taking off. Three AirAsia flights were rescheduled.
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The Briton on board flight AirAsia flight QZ8501 is believed to be Mr Choi Chi Man, who is based in Indonesia, where he is the managing director at an energy company.
He was accompanied by his two-year-old daughter, Zoe, who is believed to have been the sole Singaporean on the flight.
Channel NewsAsia understands that Mr Choi’s wife had travelled back to Singapore from Surabaya earlier with Zoe’s older brother.
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