Search Resumes for Missing Flight 370

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) reported that the search for signs of the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 aircraft in the Australian search and rescue region has resumed following a day of suspension due to poor weather.

Today’s operations commenced with a total of six countries now assisting in the operation: Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, China and the Republic of Korea.

Assisting the naval portion of the search effort, HMAS Success and China’s polar supply ship Xue Long are currently in the search area.

According to AMSA, a total of seven military and five civil aircraft will be involved in today’s search activities. One Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft from China departed Perth around 8 a.m. for the search area. A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P3 Orion aircraft NZ P-3K2 departed for the search area around 9:10 a.m. A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P3 Orion is scheduled to depart Perth around 11 a.m., a U.S. Navy P8 Poseidon is due to depart around 2 p.m., a Japanese P3 Orion is due to depart Perth around 3 p.m., a second RAAF P3 Orion is scheduled to depart for the search area around 4 p.m. and a  Republic of Korea P3 Orion is due to depart around 5 p.m.

Two civil aircraft have now departed Perth for the search area, while the three remaining civil aircraft will depart for the search area between 10 a.m. and midday. A total of 34 State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers from Western Australia will be air observers on board the five civil aircraft.