BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- A passenger plane with 114 people onboard went missing late Saturday shortly after take-off from Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos, according to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    FAAN spokesman Adamu Abdullahi said the missing airliner heading for the Nigerian capital Abuja was operated by Bellview Airlines, one of leading local airlines.

    He added that they were trying to locate the aircraft after it lost contact with the control tower minutes after taking off for the capital Abuja. "Two police helicopters are looking for it," hesaid.

    According to a Bellview official, the missing plane "took off at 8:45 (1945 GMT) and lost contact."

    The Bellview official added that there had been no sightings ofthe plane since then.

    The missing airliner is a Boeing 737 which normally carries about 110 passengers. The Lagos-Abuja is the busiest shuttle routein the west African country as Lagos is the commercial capital of the country and Abuja, the nation's capital.

    Nigeria has a poor record for aviation safety because most of its airliners are second ones having used for more than 20 years or even over 30 year.

    In May 2002, a passenger plane crushed after takeoff five minutes in Kano, a leading industrial city in northern Nigeria, killing 115 on board and scores more on the ground. Enditem