The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 may soon resume, as new, credible information has prompted discussions between Malaysia’s government and U.S.-based exploration firm Ocean Infinity. Known for its prior involvement in the search, Ocean Infinity has proposed a fresh investigation focused on a 15,000 square-kilometer area in the Southern Indian Ocean, off the coast of Western Australia. According to Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Ocean Infinity’s findings present a strong case for renewed efforts to locate the plane, which vanished in 2014 with 239 people onboard.
This potential search would operate under a “no find, no fee” agreement, offering Ocean Infinity $70 million only if they succeed in locating the wreckage. This setup aligns with a previous arrangement in 2018, where the company combed 112,000 square kilometers but yielded no discoveries. The initial international search, involving Malaysia, China, and Australia, cost $150 million and was called off in 2017 after covering 120,000 square kilometers of ocean.
The new effort reflects a shift from piecemeal evidence, such as debris previously found on distant shores, to an ambitious goal of locating the entire plane. Experts like Dr. Lam Choong Wah from Universiti Malaya have suggested Malaysia collaborate with China, as a majority of MH370’s passengers were Chinese nationals.
Pending cabinet approval, Minister Loke has stated he will announce the final decision soon, with public interest mounting around what may be the best chance yet to solve aviation’s greatest mystery.
