Offers to help in the search for the missing AirAsia Flight QZ8501 plane continue to pour in as Indonesia resumed the search on Monday morning.

At least seven nations have offered help in the search efforts. Singapore deployed two naval ships and a C-130 air force jet to help find the missing Airbus A0320-200 with 162 people aboard the aircraft, reports Reuters.

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Malaysia said it would send three naval vessels and a C-130, while Australia, the U.S., the U.K., South Korea and India likewise made available their resources such as planes, navy ship, experts and investigators, reminiscent of the multi-nation effort to also locate the still missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.

It is the first air incident involving AirAsia, operator of the plane. The company started operations in 2002.

Indonesia AirAsia Chief Executive Sunu Widyatmoko said he is shocked and saddened by the incident, and the company is cooperating with authorities to find the reason why the plane went missing after seeking permission to climb higher to avoid the rain clouds.

Widyatmoko said the plane has not issued a distress call.

While refusing to entertain thoughts that the plane had crashed, Fernandes admits it is his worst nightmare as he flew with other Indonesia officials to assuage worried relatives in Surabaya Airport. He said the air carrier's concern now are the relatives and next-of-kin of the missing jet.

Both Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Pope Francis asked people to pray for safety of the 162 people aboard the missing jet, with the bulk of the passengers being Indonesians.

Malaysia Airlines, which lost two airplanes in 2014, tweeted, "Our thoughts and prayers are with all family and friends of those on board [the flight]."

TagsIndonesia, AirAsia, missing plane, search and rescue