A state-of-the-art Russian Superjet has vanished from radar screens in Indonesia amid speculation it has crashed or been hijacked with 36 foreign nationals on board.
A major air search has begun but darkness has prevented any hope of spotting the jet - if it has crashed - in mountainous country near Jakarta.
On board the Sukhoi Superjet-100 were eight Russians and 36 foreign nationals.
Scroll down to see the Superjet when it was unveiled
Missing: A Russian Sukhio Superjet 100, like this one pictured, has vanished from radar screens in Indonesia amid speculation it has crashed or been hijacked with 36 foreign nationals on board
Despair: Relatives of passengers on the missing Sukhoi Superjet 100 pictured crying at Jakarta Airport today
Indonesian officials said there were two possibilities surrounding the fate of the aircraft - it has either crashed into a mountain or has been hijacked.
The jet had begun its descent towards Jakarta airport after its demonstration flight - part of a six-stop demonstration tour of Asia.
Worry: Relatives of passengers look at the list of who was on board the missing flight
It suddenly vanished from radar screens when it was at an altitude of 6,200 feet over a mountainous area.
Airport officials in Jakarta said it was possible the aircraft had used up all its fuel by the time it was due to return to the airport. There has been no response from the jet or from anyone on board.
The jet, which arrived in Indonesia on Wednesday, was on its fourth destination after visiting Burma, Pakistan and Kazakhstan. It was due to continue its demonstration flights in Laos and Vietnam.
The Russian plane is described as giving the 'perfect ride' for passengers, with four-abreast seat configuration that results in a true business class, providing every passenger with an equal level of comfort.
A website detailing the technical side of the aircraft describes its leading-edge technology which are said to be the core ingredient of the jet.
Mystery: The jet, like the one pictured here, had begun its descent towards Jakarta airport after its demonstration flight when it disappeared
The technology results in a modern, economically, efficient and globally marketable aircraft.
The website adds: 'SSJ100 is easy and safe to pilot. The cockpit design features a 'passive' side stick and 'active' engine control levers.
'The Human Centred Design concept perfectly arranges the control levers and on-board equipment. SSJ100 can be landed by one pilot only.
'Dark and Quiet Cockpit offers precise, convenient and reliable piloting of Sukhoi Superjet 100.'
A military source in Indonesia said it was apparent that the jet had 'fallen from the sky'.
The aircraft was on a promotional tour dubbed the 'Asian Roadshow' which was aimed at lifting Russia's hopes of emerging from its gloomy history of crashes involving ageing Soviet-era aircraft.
Indonesia's regional carrier PT Sky Aviation has already agreed to buy 12 of the jets, with deliveries to begin this year - but the apparent crash of the Superjet is certain to put a hold on the contract.
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