KUALA LUMPUR: The next-of-kin of those aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 when it disappeared 10 years ago have expressed gratitude over the cabinet approval for a new search for the missing aircraft.
Jacquita Gonzales, the wife of in-flight supervisor Patrick Gomes, told the New Straits Times she was elated over the news.
"I am so happy for the news. (I have) been waiting for so long. Feels like the best Christmas present ever.
"Finally, they agree that the proposal put forward by Ocean Infinity is credible enough to restart the search. They always said they needed credible evidence.
"Thanks to (Transport Minister) Anthony Loke for keeping his promise to push for the search," she said.
The same sentiments were expressed by the wife of MH370 cabin crew member Mohd Hazrin Mohamed Hasnan.
Intan Maizura Othaman expressed gratitude to Loke and the cabinet for agreeing to begin a new search for the missing Boeing 777-200ER which disappeared from radars March 8, 2014.
"This announcement stirs mixed emotions — hope, gratitude, and sorrow. After nearly 11 years, the uncertainty and pain of not having answers have been incredibly difficult for us," she said.
Intan Maizura also extended her heartfelt thanks to marine robotics firm Ocean Infinity for their willingness to offer expertise and continue the search for MH370.
She said the search for MH370 was not merely about closure but also a way to honour and respect their loved ones.
"We can also learn from this tragedy to make air travel safer in the future. I hope the world will continue to stand with us, offering support as we await further developments," she said.
Loke had announced earlier that the cabinet had agreed in principle to Ocean Infinity's proposal for a new search for MH370 on a "no find, no fee" deal.
He said the decision was reached during a cabinet meeting on Dec 13.
The new search will target a new area of approximately 15,000 sq km in the southern Indian Ocean.
The disappearance of MH370 with its 239 passengers and crew remains one of the world's most enigmatic air disasters.
The aircraft, which departed Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 12.41am was scheduled to land in Beijing, at 6.40am the same day.
A search was launched in the South China Sea, where the aircraft disappeared from radars, but it was later found that it had made a complete turnabout and had likely ditched in the southern Indian Ocean.
However, searches in areas west of the Australian coastline turned up nothing, although various pieces of debris have turned up in several places in eastern Africa.
Some of these pieces have been confirmed as coming from MH370 while others were deemed likely to have come from the aircraft.