Flight MH370 search to be suspended if not found in current search area

Almost $135 million has been spent on an underwater search spanning 120,000 sq km in southern Indian Ocean, the most expensive in history.

The hunt for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 will be suspended once the current search area in the Indian Ocean has been completely scoured, the ministers of the three countries conducting the operation announced Friday, possibly ending all hopes of solving aviation's greatest mystery.

"In the absence of new evidence, Malaysia, Australia and China have collectively decided to suspend the search upon completion of the 120,000 square kilometer (46,332 sq mile) search area", Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said after a meeting with his Australian and Chinese counterparts. He said suspension of the search does not mean an end to it.

"Should credible new information emerge which can be used to identify the specific location of the aircraft, consideration will be given in determining next steps," he said, reading out from a joint statement.

But it was clear that the searchers have given up hopes of finding the jetliner with less than 10,000 square kilometer (3,800 sq mile) left to be searched.

In their statement, the ministers acknowledged that "the likelihood of finding the aircraft is fading."

The Boeing 777 vanished more than two years ago while on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. It is believed to have turned back and dropped into the Indian Ocean west of Australia, where the search has been concentrated.

Liow said the current search is being hampered by bad weather and damaged equipment, but still it would end by December.