Search operation for Malaysian airlines aircraft: Update 2

Tuesday 18 March 2014
A search effort in the Southern Indian Ocean for the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 continues.
Media Release

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA’s) Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) is coordinating the search operation in Australia’s Search and Rescue Region.

A search area has been developed based on information made available to AMSA on Monday.

This search area is about 1500 nautical miles south-west of Perth.

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C Orion relocated from Cocos (Keeling) Island overnight to RAAF Base Pearce, near Perth.

Additional RAAF AP-3C are relocating to RAAF Base Pearce near Perth to bring the total number of AP- 3C aircraft to four. The Australian aircraft will be joined by a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3-K2 Orion and a United States Navy P-8 Poseidon.

One AP-3C search sortie will be flown today. Up to five sorties are expected to be flown on Wednesday using AP-3C, P3-K2 and P-8 aircraft.

AMSA will provide media updates when further information is available.

Media Note: