Malaysia happy to reopen search for missing MH370

Details surrounding the 2014 disappearance remain a mystery with the 239 people onboard, including six Australian citizens, lost along with the plane, which was on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

A US-based firm has offered to lead the search to scour the southern Indian Ocean seabed where the plane is believed to have crashed.

The investigation could be reopened if there was compelling evidence, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

"We will certainly be happy to reopen," he told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.

"It is an issue affecting the lives of people and whatever needs to be done must be done."

Friday marks the 10th anniversary of the flight's disappearance.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the grief families felt.

"We acknowledge at this time the ongoing grief for loved ones and deeply regret the aircraft has been unable to be located despite the extensive searches," he said alongside his Malaysian counterpart.

"We understand that at this time, it will be a very difficult time for people because they are not given the certainty that would come with a successful search mission."

A fresh search would be aided by new technology, oceanography expert Chari Pattiaratchi said.

Large parts of the plane, including the wheels, engine and possibly part of the wings would be left after all this time, Professor Pattiaratchi said.

Small pieces of debris washing up indicated the plane broke up, he said.

"They would be scattered in an area probably two to three kilometres by diameter," he told ABC TV.

If one piece was found, it was likely the whole wreckage would be too, Prof Pattiaratchi said.

"Once it is at the bottom, there are very calm areas, it is very cold, it's like inside a fridge, so they would be preserved."

The first search was co-ordinated by Australia in 2014 and involved the Malaysian and Chinese governments.

The official search for the plane was abandoned in early 2017.

American company Ocean Infinity resumed a search of the seabed in 2018 but found nothing.

The company later committed to another search in 2023 or 2024 if it received approval from the Malaysian government.

Malaysia's transport minister requested credible evidence before he would sign off on the search.

Australian Associated Press