AirAsia confirms wreckage is from missing plane

This aerial view shows floating debris spotted in the search for missing AirAsia flight QZ8501, Dec. 30, 2014. 

Debris that was spotted in Indonesian waters is connected to the missing plane QZ8501 that crashed into the Java Sea on Sunday with 162 people aboard, according to a statement released by the airline.

In a statement, the airline said, "AirAsia Indonesia regrets to inform that The National Search and Rescue Agency Republic of Indonesia (BASARNAS) today confirmed that the debris found earlier today is indeed from QZ8501, the flight that had lost contact with air traffic control on the morning of 28th December 2014."

The aircraft with 155 passengers on board, including 137 adults, 17 children and 1 infant, lost contact on Sunday.

Discovery came on the third day. Forty bodies have been found after debris was discovered and the number is climbing, according to Indonesian navy.

According to the statement, the debris of the aircraft was found in the Karimata Strait around 110 nautical miles south west from Pangkalan Bun.

Search and rescue operations proceed and further investigation of the debris found at the location is still underway. AirAsia Indonesia employees have been sent to the site and will be fully cooperating with BASARNAS, National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC), and relevant authorities on the investigation.

Sunu Widyatmoko, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Indonesia said: “We are sorry to be here today under these tragic circumstances. We would like to extend our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of those on board QZ8501. Our sympathies also go out to the families of our dear colleagues.”

Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia added: “I am absolutely devastated. This is a very difficult moment for all of us at AirAsia as we await further developments of the search and rescue operations but our first priority now is the wellbeing of the family members of those onboard QZ8501.”

AirAsia Indonesia will be inviting family members to Surabaya, where a dedicated team of care providers will be assigned to each family to ensure that all of their needs are met. Counsellors, religious and spiritual personnel have also been invited to the family center to provide any necessary services.

Earlier today, Indonesia's director general of civil aviation said debris spotted Tuesday during an aerial search for AirAsia flight QZ8501 is from the missing plane.

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