Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 search to resume in southern Indian Ocean

The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 will resume on December 30, the country’s Transport Ministry announced Wednesday, more than a decade after the plane mysteriously disappeared over the Indian Ocean.

The Malaysian government said Texas-based marine robotics company Ocean Infinity is expected to begin a targeted 55-day deep-sea search for the missing plane in the southern Indian Ocean by the end of the month, according to the Associated Press.

On March 8, 2014, the Boeing 777 took off from Kuala Lumpur towards Beijing, when it disappeared about 90 seconds after leaving Malaysian airspace, disappearing with its 239 passengers in what has become one of aviation’s biggest unsolved mysteries.

Satellite data revealed that the plane had deviated from its flight path and headed south, towards the far southern Indian Ocean, where it is believed to have crashed.

AMY BRADLEY’S DISAPPEARANCE SEES 3 MAJOR NEW LEADS AS INVESTIGATORS RENEW DECADES-OLD SEARCH: REPORT

Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke (center) examines the wing flap found on Pemba Island, Tanzania, which was identified as a missing part of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 through unique part numbers assigned to 9M-MRO during a commemoration event marking the 5th anniversary of the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 3, 2019. (Adli Ghazali/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

According to a statement from the Malaysian Ministry of Transport, reported by AP, Ocean Infinity will hunt in targeted areas considered to have the highest probability of finding the missing plane.

“These latest developments underline the Malaysian government’s commitment to providing closure for families affected by this tragedy,” the Transport Ministry said.

The announcement comes after the Malaysian government gave final approval in March for Ocean Infinity to begin the search, having agreed to a “no find, no fee” contract that rewards the company $70 million only if a wreck is discovered at the 5,800-square-mile site.

GOVERNMENT RELEASES NEWLY DECLASSIFIED AMELIA EARHART MISSING FILES FROM NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Submersible equipment at the Ocean Infinity Group Ltd. factory. in Southampton, UK on Wednesday February 9, 2023. Ocean Infinity will begin a 55-day targeted high seas search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in the southern Indian Ocean on December 30. (José Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Previously, debris had been found washed up on the east coast of Africa and on islands in the Indian Ocean, but a multinational search failed to uncover any clues to MH370’s location.

Ocean Infinity also conducted private research in 2018 that resulted in no findings, but CEO Oliver Plunkett was quoted as saying earlier this year that his company has since improved its technology.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 tracked by military radar, according to book by Dr. Alan Diehl. (Dr. Alan E. Diehl/”The Best Laid Plans”)

Fox News Digital has contacted Ocean Infinity for comment.

Greg Norman of Fox News Digital and the Associated Press contributed to this report.