03:18PM, EST

United Airlines has provided the following additional information about the loss of United Flights 93 and 175 and the series of tragic events today.

United can confirm that it will advance to the families of victims onboard Flights 93 and 175 an initial sum of $25,000 (USD) to help meet their immediate needs. United has identified all passengers and crew members onboard these two flights and is in the process of notifying their next of kin and working to assist family members. However, United will not release any names until it is cleared to do so by the US authorities. In addition, names of family members may be withheld at the request of relatives.

Earlier today, United confirmed the following details:

• United Flight 93, a Boeing 757 aircraft, departed from Newark, NJ, at 8:01 a.m. local time, bound for San Francisco with 38 passengers onboard, 2 pilots and 5 flight attendants. The aircraft crashed near Johnstown, PA.
• United Flight 175, a Boeing 767 aircraft, departed from Boston, MA, at 7:58 a.m. local time, bound for Los Angeles with 56 passengers onboard, 2 pilots and 7 flight attendants. United has confirmed the loss of this aircraft. Last radar contact with the aircraft was between Newark, NJ, and Philadelphia, PA.

United has a team en route to Johnstown, PA, to assist in every possible way with the investigation and to provide assistance, help and support to family members. Based on information received from the authorities, United is also sending employees to the New York City area to assist in every way it can with this tragedy.

"United wants to do all it can for passengers, employees and their loved ones at this terrible time for our nation. We have mobilized all our resources to work with the authorities, including the FBI and other government agencies. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with everyone involved, including the passengers and crew members of our airline, as well as their family members and friends," said James E. Goodwin, United CEO.

Friends or family members who want more information on United Flights 93 or 175 should contact 1-800-932-8555. United also will post all available information it has on this website.

United also has established its international toll-free numbers for friends or family members who want more information. Those numbers are:

• Belgium: 027133646
• China: 10800110008
• France: 0169199659
• Germany: 06966985407
• Italy: 024829813
• The Netherlands: 0202013708
• United Kingdom: 08458444777 or 02088227766