MH370 Missing Flight: Chinese Families Renew Fight for Answers

Twelve years after MH370’s disappearance, families of Chinese passengers say the truth remains more important than financial compensation.

Beijing Court Hears Appeal Over 2014 Disappearance

The Beijing court began hearing appeals from families dissatisfied with a December ruling that ordered Malaysia Airlines to pay eight families of Chinese passengers 2.9 million yuan ($410,000) each.

“When I received the judgement and read the first-instance ruling, my first thought was that the court was insulting the families of the passengers, that it was mocking us,” Li Eryou, whose son was on the flight, told AFP outside the court. Li noted that in 12 years, no one has apologized, leaving families with immense anger over a legal process that treated an international aviation disaster like an ordinary local traffic accident.

Families Demand Truth Over Compensation

For many relatives, the financial payout remains secondary to uncovering what actually happened to Flight MH370. Jiang Hui, whose mother was on the plane, told AFP that the primary reason for appealing is that the first-instance court did not clearly establish case facts or address Malaysia Airlines’ inaction since 2014.

“The plane isn’t going to rise to the surface all on its own,” Jiang said, emphasizing that establishment of facts remains their biggest demand. Over the years, aviation experts have floated numerous theories—ranging from pilot suicide and hijacking to missile fire, technical malfunction, or an electronic component fire that incapacitated the crew and passengers before the aircraft continued on autopilot over the Indian Ocean until running out of fuel.

Ongoing Search Efforts Led by Ocean Infinity

Search operations continue to evolve internationally. According to announcements made by Malaysian authorities last month, the search for Flight MH370 will be extended through June 2027 under an operation led by the private firm Ocean Infinity. The firm previously conducted a two-stage search beginning in March 2025, which ultimately returned empty-handed.

While expressing gratitude to Malaysian authorities for extending the search timeline, Jiang Hui also urged officials to allow families to organize their own search missions to ensure every possible measure is taken.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappear?

Flight MH370 vanished from radar screens on March 8, 2014, while traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

How many people were on board MH370?

There were 239 people on board the Boeing 777 aircraft, two-thirds of whom were Chinese nationals.

What is the current status of the search for MH370?

Malaysia announced that the search will be extended through June 2027, led by private firm Ocean Infinity following previous searches that concluded without finding the aircraft.

Why are families appealing the Beijing court ruling?

According to relatives speaking to AFP, families are appealing because the initial court ruling focused solely on a compensation amount of 2.9 million yuan ($410,000) per family without addressing airline inaction or establishing the factual cause of the disaster.