Malaysian officials have confirmed that a new underwater search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will begin on December 30, more than ten years after the aircraft vanished with 239 people on board.
The renewed mission is scheduled to last for 55 days. An earlier attempt to resume operations in March was forced to stop shortly afterward due to unfavorable weather conditions in the search zone.
In a statement carried by local news outlets, the Ministry of Transport said the decision highlights Malaysias ongoing commitment to helping the victims families find long-awaited answers.
Flight MH370, operated by a Boeing 777, disappeared on March 8, 2014 while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Its sudden loss triggered the most extensive search operation in aviation history.
The current effort is being led once again by exploration company Ocean Infinity under a no find, no fee agreement. According to Malaysian Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook, the company will receive $70 million if the wreckage is successfully located.
Earlier recovery efforts included a massive multinational operation involving 60 vessels and 50 aircraft from 26 countries, which concluded in 2017. A follow-up mission by Ocean Infinity in 2018 also ended after three months without success.
Communication with air traffic control was lost less than an hour after takeoff. Military radar data later indicated that the plane had dramatically altered its course, deviating from its planned route for reasons that remain unknown.
Over the years, numerous theories have emerged, ranging from claims of deliberate action by the pilot to possible hijacking scenarios. A 2018 investigation suggested that the aircrafts controls were likely manipulated on purpose, but no clear motive or responsible party was identified.
Authorities emphasized that any definitive conclusions can only be reached if physical evidence of the aircraft is recovered. Until then, MH370 remains one of the most enduring and painful mysteries in modern aviation history.
