A decade after the mysterious disappearance, Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 continues to attract global attention and a new search is about to begin.
The Malaysian government has approved a search for MH370 by the US-based private company Ocean Infinity under a no find, no fee deal. If the body of MH370 is identified, Ocean Infinity will receive $70 million.
In an interview with Radio Islam International, senior researcher at the Ashraf Patel Institute for Global Dialogue emphasized the reason why MH370 is still one of the biggest mysteries of the modern aviation industry.
"It is the only plane in modern history that has disappeared without trace, black box, no pieces, no bodies," he said.
Flight MH370 disappeared from radar 2 hours after takeoff from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 8, 2014. The plane was expected to be bound for Beijing, China, carrying 239 people at the time of the mysterious disappearance.
After many years of the plane's disappearance, many theories have emerged. Researcher Ashraf Patel mentioned the book by investigative journalist Florence Deschapny - "The Disappearing Act" and called this the "gold standard" for MH370. The theories mentioned include the possibility of committing a crime related to a technical error, geopolitical factors and the possibility of a plane robbery.
"There is speculation that the plane carries sensitive technology, raising suspicions of intentional intervention by powerful countries," Patel said.
Patel experts highlight the far-reaching impacts of the mysterious disappearance of MH370 on the global aviation industry. "The disappearance of MH370 highlights clear loopholes in global aviation safety and transparency," he said.
According to a senior researcher at the Institute for Global Dialogue, the resumed search for MH370 could prompt airlines and regulators to come up with closer safety compliance measures.
Many technological advances have been made since 2014, including improved satellite monitoring, which could support the search for MH370 when resumed. However, Mr. Patel emphasized the urgency of having answers about the disappearance of MH370, especially the relatives of the passengers on the unfortunate flight.
The mystery of MH370 is not only limited to the aviation sector, but also related to geopolitics, technological responsibility and even concerns about global health. The lessons from this tragedy extend to pandemic prevention and international tourism regulations, he said.
