The search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, one of the world’s most enduring aviation mysteries, is set to resume more than a decade after the aircraft vanished with 239 people on board while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Malaysia’s Transport Ministry has approved a renewed seabed search in the southern Indian Ocean to be conducted by private marine robotics company Ocean Infinity. The operation will cover an area of approximately 15,000 square kilometres and will be carried out on a “no find, no fee” basis, with Ocean Infinity set demonstrate advanced underwater technology in hopes of finally locating the wreckage of the Boeing 777.

Flight MH370 disappeared from radar shortly after departing Kuala Lumpur on 8 March 2014. The aircraft was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members, most of them Chinese nationals, as well as citizens of Malaysia, Australia, France, Indonesia, India, the United States, Ukraine and Canada.

Military radar data showed MH370 deviated from its planned flight path, turning back over northern Malaysia before heading into the Andaman Sea and then south toward the Indian Ocean. After that, all contact was lost. Despite extensive multinational search efforts, the aircraft itself has never been found, though pieces of debris believed to be from the plane later washed up on the coasts of Africa and islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean.

Ocean Infinity confirmed the new search operations will last up to 55 days, conducted intermittently depending on weather and sea conditions. If the wreckage is found, the company will receive a fee of approximately AU$106 million. Due to the sensitivity of the operation, Ocean Infinity said all formal communications would be handled through the Malaysian government.

Between 2014 and 2017, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) led the initial underwater search covering about 120,000 square kilometres. The ATSB said it welcomes the renewed effort and remains ready to provide technical assistance. At Malaysia’s request, ATSB representatives have joined a working group to review seabed imagery if potential debris is identified.

A 495-page Malaysian government investigation report suggested the plane’s controls were likely deliberately manipulated, but investigators were unable to determine who was responsible.

Malaysia’s Transport Ministry has yet to issue further public comment, but for families around the world, the resumption of the search offers renewed hope that one day the mystery of MH370 may finally be resolved. (ILKHA)