KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) – After a span of twelve years since the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which took off with 239 individuals on board, a recent deep-sea search in the southern Indian Ocean has yet to uncover any traces of the missing aircraft. Malaysian authorities reported on Sunday that families of those onboard are advocating for the continuation of the search efforts.
The Air Accident Investigation Bureau issued a statement indicating that a seabed search undertaken by the marine robotics company Ocean Infinity had taken place between March 2025 and January 2026. During this time, thousands of square kilometers of the ocean floor were surveyed, but no confirmed evidence of the aircraft wreckage has been found.
Last year, Malaysia authorized the Texas-based company to resume the search for Flight MH370 under a “no-find, no-fee” contract. This involves a designated area of 15,000 square kilometers (5,800 square miles) in the southern Indian Ocean, believed to be the crash site. Ocean Infinity will only receive payment of $70 million if any wreckage is discovered.
The search operations were conducted over 28 days in two phases: during March 25-28 of the previous year and again from December 31, 2025, to January 23 of this year, while covering approximately 7,571 square kilometers (2,923 square miles) of seabed. The Bureau noted that weather conditions had intermittently disrupted their efforts.
In its statement, the Bureau confirmed, “The search activities undertaken have not yielded any findings that confirm the location of the aircraft wreckage.” They did not provide specific details on when the search might resume.
Flight MH370, a Boeing 777, disappeared from radar shortly after departure on March 8, 2014. It was en route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing, China, carrying predominantly Chinese nationals. Satellite data indicated that the aircraft had deviated from its original flight path, turning south toward the remote Indian Ocean where it is believed to have ultimately crashed.
Despite an extensive multinational search that failed to yield any clues regarding the plane's location, some debris did wash ashore along the eastern coast of Africa and on Indian Ocean islands. A private search conducted by Ocean Infinity in 2018 also did not result in any discoveries.
The advocacy group Voice 370, representing the families of some individuals who were aboard the missing aircraft, has urged the Malaysian government to consider extending Ocean Infinity’s contract. They also suggested that the government explore similar agreements with other deep-sea exploration companies.
Although Ocean Infinity’s contract is set to run until June, the group expressed concerns that the vessel utilized for the search has been reassigned for other work. It is unlikely to return soon to continue operations before the onset of winter and worsening sea conditions.
The group stated, “The government pays nothing unless the aircraft is found. Any request by Ocean Infinity to extend the search contract should therefore be granted without hesitation.” They added that if the current search proves unsuccessful, they would encourage Malaysia to consider similar no-find, no-fee agreements with other capable deep-sea exploration firms, concluding their statement with a commitment to persist in seeking answers: “We will never give up!”
