A New Zealander-led search for the missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 is set to begin anew, nearly 11 years after the aircraft vanished from radar under mysterious circumstances. The operational initiative is being spearheaded by the U.S. and UK-based company, Ocean Infinity, which has been contracted by the Malaysian government to explore the depths of the Indian Ocean to locate the wreckage and return some semblance of closure to the victims’ families.
The announcement was made by Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke on February 25, 2025, emphasizing the fresh, high-tech approach being taken to find the Boeing 777, which disappeared on March 8, 2014, with 239 individuals aboard. "The details of the contract between Malaysia and Ocean Infinity are currently being finalized," Loke noted, expressing optimism both about the renewed search and the new technologies being deployed.
This extensive search effort, comprising approximately 15,000 square kilometers of the Indian Ocean, will focus on specific areas believed to hold clues to the aircraft's final resting place. "We are willing about Ocean Infinity's eagerness to send ships to start the search," Loke added, highlighting the urgency and importance of this new chapter.
Historically, the disappearance of MH370 remains one of the greatest enigmas of modern aviation. The aircraft, originally bound for Beijing from Kuala Lumpur, mysteriously diverted from its flight path and vanished from radar screens just 38 minutes after takeoff. Initial search efforts, considered the largest and most expensive aerial search operation in aviation history, spanned over three years across vast portions of the Southern Indian Ocean but yielded only small pieces of debris found washed ashore.
The prevailing theory is based on satellite data analysis indicating the most probable crash site was far from the initial search areas. This new operation will utilize advanced underwater technology, primarily autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), which will be deployed using the support vessel Armada 78 06. These vehicles are capable of reaching depths of around four kilometers, where conditions are dark and challenging for human divers. It is expected this search will take several weeks to complete.
Previously, Ocean Infinity had been involved with search operations for MH370 but had unfortunately not located the wreckage. The latest endeavor is backed by convincing study results and advanced tracking abilities, which authorities believe may result in new discoveries. The Malaysian government has entered a contract with Ocean Infinity worth $70 million for this extensive search, with the stipulation known as “no find, no fee,” meaning payment hinges entirely on the successful discovery of the aircraft.
Despite the passage of time, many relatives of MH370’s passengers still hold onto hope. They have waited patiently for closure from the traumatic loss, which has remained surrounded by uncertainty and speculation. "This search embodies our relentless pursuit for truth," said some family members, pointing out the emotional burden they have carried over the years.
The immense scale of the former search operations covered approximately 46,300 square miles; the new search area has been delineated based solely on recent findings and insights provided by expert researchers. Critics of earlier search efforts have cited the lack of exact scientific methodologies as key reasons behind the ineffectiveness, but hopes are high for this renewed commitment from the Malaysian authorities and Ocean Infinity.
Looking forward, this renewed search effort has rekindled a glint of hope among families still waiting for answers about their loved ones. Will the ocean finally reveal the secrets it has withheld for over a decade? One can only hope as the search begins again, marked by determination and advanced technology, to not only find the remnants of the plane but also to resolve the still-echoing questions surrounding its mysterious disappearance.