An Air Algerie flight travelling from Burkina Faso to Algiers has disappeared from the radar, apparently while flying above Malian airspace.

The aircraft, believed to be an MD-83 passenger jet, lost contact 50 minutes after takeoff.

"Air navigation services have lost contact with an Air Algerie plane Thursday flying from Ouagadougou to Algiers, 50 minutes after takeoff," the airline said, according to Algeria's APS news agency.

Air Algerie has put in place an "emergency plan," the agency reported.

Spanish airline Swiftair was said to be operating the flight chartered by Air Algerie. Swiftair has confirmed there were 110 passengers and six crew members aboard the aircraft.

Flight AH 5017 was not visible on Flightradar24, a live-tracking website for all the planes, since it is out of coverage area, said the service.