An Indian Air Force plane carrying 29 people is missing after losing contact shortly after takeoff.

The aircraft left Chennai in Southern India at 8.30am local time and was expected to land at 11.30am in Port Blair, capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Wing Commander Anupam Banerjee said the last contact with the plane, carrying service personnel and six crew members, was made around 15 minutes after takeoff and that a search was on.

A search operation is under way after an Indian Air Force plane carrying 29 people went missing on its way to Port Blair

Surveillance aircraft and navy and coastguard ships have begun searching for the Russian-built AN-32 military transport aircraft, which is believed to have disappeared over the Bay of Bengal.

The Press Trust of India news agency reported AN-32s can fly for four hours without refuelling.