Families of those aboard malaysia airlines flight mh370 urged the Malaysian government to extend a contract with deep‑sea exploration firm Ocean Infinity to continue the hunt, 12 years after the Boeing 777 vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Ocean Infinity completed two recent search phases that covered about 7, 571 sq km of seabed over 28 days but yielded no findings and departed the search area on 23 January 2026 (ET). Voice370 and family representatives said extending the existing “no find, no fee” agreement is the fastest way to keep searching despite seasonal weather disruptions.
Search status and recent operations
Malaysia’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said operations have not produced substantive wreckage after the two search phases, which were periodically disrupted by weather and sea conditions and ended after 28 days and roughly 7, 571 sq km of seabed were mapped. Ocean Infinity left the search area on 23 January 2026 (ET). The company had previously undertaken searches for the aircraft and did not find conclusive wreckage in prior missions.
The Boeing 777 was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew when it vanished on 8 March 2014, making the disappearance one of the world’s enduring aviation mysteries. Malaysian investigators in a 2018 report drew no conclusion about what happened aboard the flight and did not rule out the possibility that the aircraft had been deliberately taken off course.
Families push for extension — Malaysia Airlines Flight Mh370
Voice370, the group representing families of those onboard, urged the government to grant any request for Ocean Infinity to extend its agreement and to expand the same contractual terms to other interested exploration firms. “A simple addendum extending the contract period without altering the core terms of the agreement would allow the search to continue without delay, ” Voice370 said. Voice370 also warned it was unlikely Ocean Infinity could resume searching before the contract ends in June because winter in the southern hemisphere will bring deteriorating sea conditions.
Malaysia agreed in March last year to allow Ocean Infinity to resume the hunt under a “no find, no fee” principle, with the firm to be paid $70 million only if the wreckage was successfully located. Families argue that an extension or addendum would maintain the same financial terms while preserving the ability to return to sea when weather permits.
Reactions and what happens next
Oliver Plunkett, Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Infinity, said: “It was important for us to take advantage of every piece of information and data available and go back, but despite all that effort, we haven’t been able to find it. The scale of the challenge both geographically and technologically is almost impossible to comprehend. We’re proud to have brought our expertise and the most advanced technology we’ve ever deployed. If nothing else, we can say with confidence that it isn’t where we looked. That matters — it brings clarity, and it will help those continuing to study the evidence refine their thinking and shape future search strategies. ” Plunkett noted the company has spent more than 150 days at sea and mapped over 140, 000 sq km of seafloor since 2018.
Malaysia’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau said, “The government remains committed to keeping the families informed and will continue to provide updates as appropriate. ” Families and their representatives have asked the Malaysian government to consider extending the contract period or allowing other firms to operate under the same terms so that any window of suitable sea conditions can be used without delay.
What’s next: the immediate decision point rests with the Malaysian government and the status of Ocean Infinity’s contract, which families say should be extended to preserve the option of renewed search operations when weather and operational conditions permit. Families will continue to press for action and updates as the situation develops, keeping the focus on resolving the disappearance of malaysia airlines flight mh370 and on whether another contracted search can be mounted when circumstances allow.
