Malaysia Airlines loses contact with passenger jet by CNN staff

CNN) -- A passenger flight carrying 239 people en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing is missing,

 Malaysia Airlines said Saturday.

The airline said in a statement that Subang Air Traffic Control in Malaysia

lost contact with Flight MH370 at 2:40 a.m.

The Boeing 777-200 departed Kuala Lumpur for Beijing at 12:41 a.m.

The Boeing 777-200 departed Kuala Lumpur at 12:41 a.m. and was expected to land in Beijing at 6:30 a.m., a 2,300-mile (3,700 kilometer) trip.

It was carrying 227 passengers, two of them infants, and 12 crew members, it said.

"Malaysia Airlines is currently working with the authorities who have activated their Search and Rescue team to locate the aircraft," the statement said. The public can call +603 7884 1234 for further information.