DALLAS — The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has resumed a decade after the plane mysteriously disappeared from radar. 

Conducted by the seabed exploration company Ocean Infinity, this new attempt is bolstered by credible data and hopes to solve one of aviation’s strangest mysteries.

The Disappearance of MH370

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, a Boeing 777-200ER with 239 people on board, was scheduled to fly from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Beijing (PEK) on March 8, 2014. Shortly after takeoff, it disappeared from radar, leaving the aviation world stunned. 

Unlike most plane disappearances, where radar data helps pinpoint the crash location, no such information was available for MH370. Despite years of large-scale searches, the wreckage was never found, though pieces of debris washed up in distant locations. 

A multinational search from 2014 to 2017 covered 120,000 square kilometers of the Indian Ocean, costing hundreds of millions of dollars. In 2018, Ocean Infinity took over under a “no find, no fee” contract but concluded its search after scanning the seabed. There has been no real search effort for six years—until now.

Ocean Infinity’s New Search Mission

In December 2024, the Malaysian government announced a renewed agreement with Ocean Infinity. This time, the search is focused on a much smaller area of about 15,000 square kilometers, 1,900 kilometers off the coast of Perth, Australia. New data suggests this area is promising. 

An advanced autonomous vessel (AUV) and Ocean Infinity’s support vessel, Armanda 7806, are deployed to scan the seabed. The contract is structured as a “no find, no fee” agreement. Ocean Infinity will only receive payment if significant wreckage is found, reflecting the company’s confidence in the new data.

What’s Different This Time?

This search differs from previous ones for several reasons. The region is much smaller, and new data has honed in on the likely crash site. Ocean Infinity also now has superior technology, having enhanced its autonomous underwater vehicles since the last search. 

These improvements enable faster and more detailed scans of the ocean floor. Despite some skepticism, many hope this is the last chance to find the wreckage and uncover the truth about what happened to MH370.

Challenges, Expectations

Locating the wreckage after so many years will be difficult for several reasons. Currents constantly move ocean debris, complicating the search for larger aircraft pieces. The damage to the aircraft depends on how it hit the water, and if it broke upon impact, finding identifiable portions will be even more challenging. 

Despite these obstacles, Ocean Infinity’s experience and advanced technology provide hope. In 2018, the company searched for MH370 under a similar agreement, and although it didn’t locate the wreckage, the CEO remains optimistic that they now have a second chance.

Why This Search Matters

Finding MH370 would provide closure for the families of the 239 passengers and crew, who have spent a decade pleading for answers. For the aviation industry, understanding what happened could improve safety measures and prevent similar incidents. 

The disappearance of MH370 is a painful reminder that even with modern technology, aviation still faces its mysteries. The Boeing 777 was one of the most sophisticated aircraft of its time, and its sudden disappearance only added to the confusion.

One Last Attempt to Crack the Mystery?

If Ocean Infinity is successful, it will bring closure to grieving families and provide insights into one of aviation’s greatest mysteries. If the search fails, it could end serious efforts to locate the aircraft. 

After so many years, the imperative to find MH370 has diminished, and experts suggest this could be the last significant search effort. The world is watching as Ocean Infinity sweeps the depths of the South Indian Ocean, hoping for a breakthrough. Whether this mission will succeed remains to be seen, but it is the most earnest effort in years to solve the mystery.

Continued Hope

The hunt for MH370 is on again, with Ocean Infinity leading the charge. The search is focused on a smaller area supported by new, credible data. Armed with enhanced technology and renewed determination, this mission could be the final opportunity to solve modern aviation’s greatest mystery. 

If successful, it will give families the closure they’ve long sought and offer aviation valuable lessons on what went wrong. The world now watches for what could be the final chapter in the MH370 saga.

Stay connected at every stop along your journey! Get any Saily mobile data plan at 5% off with the code AIRWAYSMAG5 + up to 5GB free!