Search for flight MH370 resumes ten years after plane disappeared

The search for flight MH370 has been renewed after the Malaysian government agreed to a “no find, no fee” deal with a US company to search for the missing plane which is believed to have crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean over a decade ago.

On Friday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Malaysian government gave the green light for a Texas-based company called Ocean Infinity to continue the search for the plane on the seabed in a new 5,800 square mile section of ocean.

He said the government will only pay Ocean Infinity $70 million (£56 million) if significant wreckage is found.

A multi-national search for MH370 was launched after its disappearance but no clues were found / Credit: AP

In a statement, Mr Loke said: “The proposed new search area, identified by Ocean Infinity, is based on the latest information and data analyses conducted by experts and researchers. The company’s proposal is credible.”

On March 8, 2014, the Boeing 777 disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpa headed to Beijing, carrying 239 people, most of whom were Chinese nationals.

Data from satellites found that the plane had deviated from its original flights path and turned back on itself, flying over the southern Indian Ocean where it is believed to have crashed.

Immediately after, a multi-national search was deployed off the coast of Australia but turned up nothing despite debris washing up on the coast of East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands.

A piece of debris believed to be part MH370 / Credit: AP

Ocean Infinity initially searched for the plane in 2018 but came up with nothing which could explain one of the world’s biggest aviation mysteries.

Decisions are set to be finalised with Ocean Infinity in early 2025 with the company suggesting January-April will be the best time for the search.

“This decision reflects the government’s commitment to continuing the search operation and providing closure for the families of MH370 passengers,” Mr Loke added.

Ocean Infinity CEO Oliver Punkett reportedly said the company had improved its technology since 2018.

He said the company is working with experts and data and narrow down the search area to the most likely possible crash site.