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Missing flight MH370: Relatives told to return home Missing flight MH370: Relatives told to return home
(about 1 hour later)
Malaysia Airlines has asked relatives of passengers on board flight MH370 to leave the hotel accommodation it is providing and return to their homes.Malaysia Airlines has asked relatives of passengers on board flight MH370 to leave the hotel accommodation it is providing and return to their homes.
It is closing the family assistance centres set up after the plane vanished on 8 March with 239 people on board.It is closing the family assistance centres set up after the plane vanished on 8 March with 239 people on board.
The airline promised to keep relatives up to date on the search operation.The airline promised to keep relatives up to date on the search operation.
Meanwhile, a report by Malaysia's transport ministry has recommended the introduction of real-time tracking of commercial air transport.Meanwhile, a report by Malaysia's transport ministry has recommended the introduction of real-time tracking of commercial air transport.
The ministry's air accident investigation bureau said there had now been two occasions over the past five years when large passenger planes had gone missing and their last position was not accurately known - MH370 and Air France Flight 447 in 2009.The ministry's air accident investigation bureau said there had now been two occasions over the past five years when large passenger planes had gone missing and their last position was not accurately known - MH370 and Air France Flight 447 in 2009.
"This uncertainty resulted in significant difficulty in locating the aircraft in a timely manner," the report noted."This uncertainty resulted in significant difficulty in locating the aircraft in a timely manner," the report noted.
There is no requirement from the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO), the UN body that oversees global aviation, for real-time tracking.There is no requirement from the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO), the UN body that oversees global aviation, for real-time tracking.
Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein also released for the first time the recordings of conversations between MH370's pilots and air traffic controllers. A transcript was published earlier this month.Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein also released for the first time the recordings of conversations between MH370's pilots and air traffic controllers. A transcript was published earlier this month.
The plane's cargo manifest and seating plan was also published by Mr Hussein, along with a summary of events from the disappearance of the plane's radar blip until activation of the Rescue Co-ordination Centre.The plane's cargo manifest and seating plan was also published by Mr Hussein, along with a summary of events from the disappearance of the plane's radar blip until activation of the Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
'Prolonged process''Prolonged process'
MH370 disappeared while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.MH370 disappeared while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
The search initially took place in the South China Sea and the Malacca Straits, but moved to the southern Indian Ocean after about three weeks when satellite data was reanalysed.The search initially took place in the South China Sea and the Malacca Straits, but moved to the southern Indian Ocean after about three weeks when satellite data was reanalysed.
No wreckage from the plane has been found, and an aerial search of the ocean 1,670km (1,040 miles) north-west of the Australian city of Perth ended on Monday.No wreckage from the plane has been found, and an aerial search of the ocean 1,670km (1,040 miles) north-west of the Australian city of Perth ended on Monday.
An unmanned submarine is continuing to search a 314-sq km (121-sq mile) area of the ocean floor where acoustic signals consistent with a plane's flight recorder were detected earlier this month.An unmanned submarine is continuing to search a 314-sq km (121-sq mile) area of the ocean floor where acoustic signals consistent with a plane's flight recorder were detected earlier this month.
On Thursday, Malaysia Airlines said in a statement: "Despite such an intensified search operation, probably the largest one in human history, we have to face the hard reality that there is still no trace of the aircraft, and the fate of the missing passengers and crew remains unknown.On Thursday, Malaysia Airlines said in a statement: "Despite such an intensified search operation, probably the largest one in human history, we have to face the hard reality that there is still no trace of the aircraft, and the fate of the missing passengers and crew remains unknown.
"Malaysia Airlines is acutely conscious of, and deeply sympathetic to the continuing unimaginable anguish, distress and hardship suffered by those with loved ones on board the flight.""Malaysia Airlines is acutely conscious of, and deeply sympathetic to the continuing unimaginable anguish, distress and hardship suffered by those with loved ones on board the flight."
But it warned that the continuing search and investigation would probably be a "prolonged process" and that it would be "adjusting the mode of services and support" for the relatives.But it warned that the continuing search and investigation would probably be a "prolonged process" and that it would be "adjusting the mode of services and support" for the relatives.
"Instead of staying in hotels, the families of MH370 are advised to receive information updates on the progress of the search and investigation and other support by Malaysia Airlines within the comfort of their own homes, with the support and care of their families and friends.""Instead of staying in hotels, the families of MH370 are advised to receive information updates on the progress of the search and investigation and other support by Malaysia Airlines within the comfort of their own homes, with the support and care of their families and friends."
All family assistance centres would be closed on 7 May, but the relatives would be given news updates through telephone calls, messages, the internet and face-to-face meetings, Malaysia Airlines said.All family assistance centres would be closed on 7 May, but the relatives would be given news updates through telephone calls, messages, the internet and face-to-face meetings, Malaysia Airlines said.
Centres will be established in the capitals of Malaysia and China, where most of those on board MH370 were from, to provide "follow-up support and services".Centres will be established in the capitals of Malaysia and China, where most of those on board MH370 were from, to provide "follow-up support and services".
The families have been critical of the initial search process and the way they have been kept informed.The families have been critical of the initial search process and the way they have been kept informed.
Last week, 10 of the airline's staff were reportedly held against their will for more than 10 hours at a hotel in Beijing by angry relatives. Many have told the BBC that they believe Malaysian officials know more than they are revealing.
Last week, 10 Malaysia Airlines staff were reportedly held against their will for more than 10 hours at a hotel in Beijing by angry relatives.
Malaysia Airlines also said it would soon make "advanced compensation payments" to their nominated next-of-kin, "in order to meet their immediate economic needs". The payments would not affect their rights to claim further compensation at a later stage, it added.Malaysia Airlines also said it would soon make "advanced compensation payments" to their nominated next-of-kin, "in order to meet their immediate economic needs". The payments would not affect their rights to claim further compensation at a later stage, it added.