Malaysia Airlines Flight 370

== <span id="Criticism and response">Aftermath</span> ==

=== Criticism of Malaysian authorities' management of information ===
Public communication from Malaysian officials regarding the loss of Flight 370 was initially beset with confusion.{{efn|Examples: <br />* Malaysia Airlines' chief executive, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, initially said air traffic control was in contact with the aircraft two hours into the flight, when in fact the last contact with air traffic control was less than an hour after takeoff.<ref name="20140314theguardian"/> <br />* Malaysian authorities initially reported that four passengers used stolen passports to board the aircraft before settling on two: one Italian and one Austrian.<ref name="SMH_2014-03-14"/> <br />* Malaysia abruptly widened the search area to the west on 9&nbsp;March, and only later explained that military radar had detected the aircraft turning back.<ref name="SMH_2014-03-14"/> This was later formally denied by Rodzali Daud.<ref name="20140312StraitsTimes"/> <br />* Malaysian authorities visited the homes of pilot Zaharie and co-pilot Fariq on 15&nbsp;March, during which they took away a flight simulator belonging to Zaharie. Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said this was the first police visit to those homes. On 17&nbsp;March, the government contradicted this by saying police first visited the pilots' homes on the day following the flight's disappearance,<ref name="AutoVQ-50"/> although this had been previously denied.<ref name="20140313nbcnews"/> <br />* On 16 March, Malaysia's acting transport minister contradicted the prime minister's account on the timing of the final data and communications received. Najib Razak had said that the ACARS system was switched off at 01:07. On 17&nbsp;March, Malaysian officials said that the system was switched off sometime between 01:07, time of the last ACARS transmission, and 01:37, time of the next expected transmission.<ref name="AutoVQ-51"/><ref name="20140319aviationtoday"/> <br />* Three days after saying that the aircraft was not transporting anything hazardous, Malaysia Airlines' chief executive Ahmad said that potentially dangerous [[Lithium-ion battery|lithium batteries]] were on board.<ref name=20140322minsider/> <br />* MAS chief executive initially claimed that the last voice communication from the aircraft was, "all right, good night", with the lack of a call sign fuelling speculation that the flight may have been hijacked.<ref name="20140317themalaysiantimes"/><ref name="20140317theguardian"/> Three weeks later Malaysian authorities published the transcript that indicated the last words were "Good night Malaysian three seven zero".<ref name="Guardian Transcript" /><ref name="20140401newsaus"/><ref name="AutoVQ-52"/><ref name="BBC_2014-03-31_b"/>}} The Malaysian government and the airline released imprecise, incomplete, and occasionally inaccurate information, with civilian officials sometimes contradicting military leaders.<ref name="20140311nytimes"/> Malaysian officials were criticised for such persistent release of contradictory information, most notably regarding the last location and time of contact with the aircraft.<ref name="AutoVQ-53"/>

Malaysia's acting Transport Minister [[Hishammuddin Hussein]], who was also the country's Defence Minister (until May 2018), denied the existence of problems between the participating countries, but academics explained that because of regional conflicts, there were genuine trust issues involved in co-operation and sharing intelligence, and that these were hampering the search. International relations experts suggested that entrenched rivalries over sovereignty, security, intelligence, and national interests made meaningful multilateral co-operation very difficult.<ref name=20140314afp/><ref name="20140314guardian"/> A Chinese academic made the observation that the parties were searching independently, and it was therefore not a multilateral search effort. ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper noted the Vietnamese permission given for Chinese aircraft to overfly its airspace as a positive sign of co-operation.<ref name=20140314guardian/> Vietnam temporarily scaled back its search operations after the country's Deputy Transport Minister cited a lack of communication from Malaysian officials despite requests for more information.<ref name="AutoVQ-54"/> China, through the official [[Xinhua News Agency]], urged the Malaysian government to take charge and conduct the operation with greater transparency, a point echoed by the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China|Chinese Foreign Ministry]] days later.<ref name=20140314afp/><ref name="AutoVQ-55"/>

Malaysia had initially declined to release raw data from its military radar, deeming the information "too sensitive", but later acceded.<ref name=20140314afp/><ref name=20140314guardian/> Defence experts suggested that giving others access to radar information could be sensitive on a military level, for example: "The rate at which they can take the picture can also reveal how good the radar system is." One suggested that some countries could already have had radar data on the aircraft, but were reluctant to share any information that could potentially reveal their defence capabilities and compromise their own security.<ref name=20140314afp/> Similarly, submarines patrolling the South China Sea might have information in the event of a water impact, and sharing such information could reveal their locations and listening capabilities.<ref name="SOFREP_2014-03-22"/>

Criticism was also levelled at the delay of the search efforts. On 11&nbsp;March 2014, three days after the aircraft disappeared, British satellite company [[Inmarsat]] (or its partner, [[SITA (IT company)|SITA]]) had provided officials with data suggesting that the aircraft was nowhere near the areas in the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea being searched at the time, and that it may have diverted its course through a southern or northern corridor. This information was not acknowledged publicly until it was released by the Malaysian Prime Minister in a press conference on 15&nbsp;March.<ref name=Telegraph-delays /><ref name="20140319online"/> Explaining why information about satellite signals had not been made available earlier, Malaysia Airlines stated that the raw satellite signals needed to be verified and analysed "so that their significance could be properly understood" before it could publicly confirm their existence.<ref name="MAS press statements 8–17 March"/> Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin claimed that Malaysian and US investigators had immediately discussed the Inmarsat data upon receipt on 12&nbsp;March, and that they had agreed to send the data to the US for further processing on two separate occasions. Data analysis was completed on 14&nbsp;March, by which time the AAIB had independently arrived at the same conclusion.<ref name="myDCA_20140321"/>

In June 2014, relatives of passengers on Flight 370 began a [[crowdfunding]] campaign on [[Indiegogo]] to raise US$100,000 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US|value=100000|start_year=2014}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}})<!-- check web archive before campaign ended (shows goal was $100,000). The current page shows "$100,516" is 101% of goal. -->—with an ultimate goal of raising US$5&nbsp;million—as a reward to encourage anyone with knowledge of the location of Flight 370, or the cause of its disappearance, to reveal what they knew.<ref name="Indiegogo campaign"/><ref name="CNN-crowdfunding reward">{{cite news|last1=Molko|first1=David|last2=Yan|first2=Holly|title=MH370 families seek $5&nbsp;million for investigation, reward|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/08/world/asia/malaysia-airlines-families-fund/index.html|access-date=10 April 2015|work=CNN|date=9 June 2014|archive-date=30 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330075418/http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/08/world/asia/malaysia-airlines-families-fund/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The campaign, which ended on 8&nbsp;August 2014, raised US$100,516 from 1,007 contributors.<ref name="Indiegogo campaign">{{cite web|title=MH370 Is Missing With 239 People on Board, Help The Families Find The Truth|url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mh370-is-missing-with-239-people-on-board-help-the-families-find-the-truth|website=Indiegogo|access-date=10 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410023633/https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mh370-is-missing-with-239-people-on-board-help-the-families-find-the-truth|archive-date=10 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Malaysia Airlines ===
{{see also|Malaysia Airlines#2011–2014: Third unprofitability, 2014 aircraft losses, bankruptcy|l1=Malaysia Airlines § 2014 aircraft losses}}
A month after the disappearance, Malaysia Airlines' chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya acknowledged that ticket sales had declined but failed to provide specific details. This may have partially resulted from the suspension of the airline's advertising campaigns following the disappearance. Ahmad stated in an interview with ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' that the airline's "primary focus...is that we do take care of the families in terms of their emotional needs and also their financial needs. It is important that we provide answers for them. It is important that the world has answers, as well."<ref name=WSJ-MASfinancial>{{cite web|last1=Raghuvanshi|first1=Gaurav|last2=Ng|first2=Jason|title=Malaysia Airlines Says Priority Is Families of the Missing, Though Ticket Sales Fall|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303532704579483060366249526|website=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=3 July 2014|date=6 April 2014|archive-date=23 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623100955/http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303532704579483060366249526?|url-status=live}}</ref> In further remarks, Ahmad said he was not sure when the airline could start repairing its image, but that the airline was adequately insured to cover the financial loss stemming from Flight 370's disappearance.<ref name=WSJ-MASfinancial /><ref name="MAS Q1 financial report">{{cite web|title=Malaysia Airlines Records RM443&nbsp;million Loss for Q1 2014|url=http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en/corporate-info/press-room/latest/malaysia-airlines-records-rm443-million-loss-for-q12014.html|website=Malaysia Airlines|access-date=3 July 2014|date=15 May 2014|quote=Much of the costs associated by MH370 will be covered by insurance.|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714115404/http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en/corporate-info/press-room/latest/malaysia-airlines-records-rm443-million-loss-for-q12014.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In China, where the majority of passengers were from, bookings on Malaysia Airlines were down 60% in March.<ref name=NYT-MASfinances>{{cite news|title=Flight's Disappearance Knocks Malaysia Airlines|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/16/business/international/flights-disappearance-knocks-malaysia-airlines.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=3 July 2014|date=15 May 2014|archive-date=25 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625161719/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/16/business/international/flights-disappearance-knocks-malaysia-airlines.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Malaysia Airlines [[Aviation accidents and incidents#Retirement of flight numbers|retired]] the MH370 [[flight number]] and replaced it with MH318 (Flight 318) beginning 14&nbsp;March 2014. This follows a common practice among airlines to redesignate flights after notorious accidents.<ref>{{cite news|title=Malaysia Airlines to Retire Call Sign 370|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2014/03/13/airline-to-retire-call-sign-370/|access-date=30 August 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=13 March 2014|archive-date=3 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903083950/http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2014/03/13/airline-to-retire-call-sign-370/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Neuman|first1=Scott|title=When Bad Things Happen To Planes, Flight Codes Get 'Retired'|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/03/13/289800435/when-bad-things-happen-to-planes-flight-codes-get-retired|work=[[NPR]]|access-date=30 August 2014|date=13 March 2014|archive-date=27 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927093643/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/03/13/289800435/when-bad-things-happen-to-planes-flight-codes-get-retired|url-status=live}}</ref> As of October 2023, Malaysia Airlines still operates the Kuala Lumpur - Beijing route as MH318, however the airline now flies into [[Beijing Daxing International Airport|Beijing Daxing]] rather than Beijing Capital.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MH318 (MAS318) Malaysia Airlines Flight Tracking and History |url=http://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/MAS318 |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=FlightAware |language=en |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029083607/https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/MAS318 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Malaysia Airlines was given US$110&nbsp;million (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=110000000|start_year=2014}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) from insurers in March 2014 to cover initial payments to passengers' families and the search effort.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wilson|first1=Harry|title=Flight MH370: insurers make first pay out on missing Malaysia Airlines plane|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/10717604/Flight-MH370-insurers-make-first-pay-out-on-missing-Malaysia-Airlines-plane.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/10717604/Flight-MH370-insurers-make-first-pay-out-on-missing-Malaysia-Airlines-plane.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=The Telegraph|access-date=17 July 2014|date=23 March 2014|quote=Malaysia Airlines has already been handed $110&nbsp;million (£67&nbsp;million) by insurers over the loss of its missing Boeing 777 on flight MH370}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In May, remarks from lead reinsurer of the flight, [[Allianz]], indicated the insured market loss on Flight 370, including the search, was about US$350&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Boyle|first1=Charles|title=Complex Situation Occludes Details on Loss of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370|url=http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2014/03/27/324543.htm|website=Insurance Journal|access-date=17 July 2014|date=27 March 2014|quote=Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty has been identified as both the lead insurer and the lead reinsurer. An Allianz spokesperson in London confirmed that it is officially the latter.|archive-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808074209/http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2014/03/27/324543.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Mathew|first1=Jerin|title=Missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 Hits Allianz with $30m Bill|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/missing-malaysian-airlines-flight-mh370-hits-allianz-30m-bill-1448613|website=International Business Times|access-date=17 July 2014|date=15 May 2014|quote=The insured market loss on the aeroplane is about $350m, which include the costs for searching.|archive-date=27 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727023459/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/missing-malaysian-airlines-flight-mh370-hits-allianz-30m-bill-1448613|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, Malaysia Airlines announced that they are the first airline to sign up for a new service that would track its airplanes anywhere in the world using orbiting satellites.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vincent|first1=James|title=Malaysia Airlines will be first to use new satellite-based airplane tracking system|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/19/15354328/malaysia-airlines-satellite-based-tracking|website=The Verge|access-date=27 August 2023|date=19 April 2017|archive-date=27 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827143012/https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/19/15354328/malaysia-airlines-satellite-based-tracking|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Financial troubles ====
At the time of Flight 370's disappearance, Malaysia Airlines was struggling to cut costs to compete with a wave of new, low-cost carriers in the region. In the previous three years, Malaysia Airlines had booked losses of: [[Malaysian ringgit|RM]]1.17&nbsp;billion (US$356&nbsp;million) in 2013, RM433&nbsp;million in 2012, and RM2.5&nbsp;billion in 2011.<ref name=WSJ-MASfinancial /> Malaysia Airlines lost RM443.4&nbsp;million (US$137.4&nbsp;million) in the first quarter of 2014 (January–March).<ref name="MAS Q1 financial report" /> The second quarter—the first full quarter in the aftermath of Flight 370's disappearance—saw a loss of RM307.04&nbsp;million (US$97.6&nbsp;million), representing a 75% increase over losses from the second quarter of 2013.<ref name="Q2 losses-NYT">{{cite news|title=Malaysia Airlines Financial Losses Grow|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/29/business/malaysia-airlines-financial-losses-grow.html|access-date=30 August 2014|work=[[The New York Times]]|agency=Reuters|date=29 August 2014|archive-date=29 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829075841/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/29/business/malaysia-airlines-financial-losses-grow.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Industry analysts expected Malaysia Airlines to lose further market share and face a challenging environment to stand out from competitors while addressing its financial plight.<ref name=WSJ-MASfinancial /> The company's stock, down as much as 20% following the disappearance of Flight 370, had fallen 80% over the previous five years, in contrast to a rise in the Malaysian stock market of about 80% over the same period.<ref name=NYT-MASfinances />

Many analysts and the media suggested that Malaysia Airlines would need to rebrand and repair its image and require government assistance to return to profitability.<ref name=WSJ-privatization>{{cite news|last1=Venkat|first1=P.R.|last2=Raghuvanshi|first2=Gaurav|title=Malaysia Airlines Could Go Private|url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/malaysia-airlines-could-go-private-1404301103|access-date=9 August 2014|website=The Wall Street Journal|date=2 July 2014|archive-date=27 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727213048/http://online.wsj.com/articles/malaysia-airlines-could-go-private-1404301103|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Patterson|first1=Thom|title=Malaysia Air faces new, serious threat as company|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/17/world/europe/malaysia-airlines-sidebar/index.html|access-date=9 August 2014|website=CNN.com|date=18 July 2014|quote=Analysts said it may take a government rescue to save the company from financial disaster.|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411205515/https://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/17/world/europe/malaysia-airlines-sidebar/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Malaysia Airlines considers tie-up with Etihad Airways as restructuring process slowly begins|url=http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/malaysia-airlines-considers-tie-up-with-etihad-as-restructuring-process-slowly-begins-172934|website=centreforaviation.com|publisher=Centre for Aviation|access-date=9 August 2014|date=17 June 2014|archive-date=10 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810112319/http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/malaysia-airlines-considers-tie-up-with-etihad-as-restructuring-process-slowly-begins-172934|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ngui|first=Yantoultra|title=Exclusive: State fund plans to take Malaysia Airlines private for restructuring: sources|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-airlines-idUSKBN0F70UR20140702|access-date=9 August 2014|work=Reuters|location=Kuala Lumpur|date=2 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705153815/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/02/us-malaysia-airlines-idUSKBN0F70UR20140702 |archive-date=5 July 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Zhang|first=Benjamin|title=How Malaysia Airlines Can Be Saved From Financial And Reputational Ruin|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/malaysia-airlines-uncertain-future-2014-7|website=Business Insider|access-date=23 July 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003951/http://www.businessinsider.com/malaysia-airlines-uncertain-future-2014-7|url-status=live}}</ref> The loss of Flight&nbsp;17 in July greatly exacerbated Malaysia Airline's financial problems. The combined effect on consumer confidence of the loss of Flight 370 and Flight&nbsp;17, and the airline's poor financial performance, led [[Khazanah Nasional]]—the majority shareholder (69.37%)<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hamzah|first1=Al-Zaquan Amer|last2=Leong|first2=Trinna|last3=Ngui|first3=Yantoultra|title=Malaysia Airlines To Go Private With A $435 Million Government Investment|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/malaysia-airlines-overhaul-2014-8|website=Business Insider|agency=Reuters|access-date=9 August 2014|date=8 August 2014|archive-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228232215/https://www.businessinsider.com/malaysia-airlines-overhaul-2014-8|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a Malaysian state-run investment arm—to announce on 8&nbsp;August its plan to purchase the remainder of the airline, thereby renationalising it.<ref name="NYT-Khazanah takeover">{{cite news|last1=Mouawad|first1=Jad|title=Malaysia Steps in to Save Its Reeling National Airline|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/09/business/international/malaysia-airlines-to-be-taken-over-by-government.html|access-date=9 August 2014|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=8 August 2014|archive-date=9 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709105419/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/09/business/international/malaysia-airlines-to-be-taken-over-by-government.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Australian">{{cite news|last1=Creedy|first1=Steve|title=Malaysia Airlines in $460m bid to clear air|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/malaysia-airlines-in-460m-bid-to-clear-air/story-e6frg95x-1227018472442?nk=70b32bc1815c4b34c2328e2c878caf76|access-date=9 August 2014|work=The Australian|date=9 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="Reuters Kazanah buyback">{{cite news|last1=Hamzah|first1=Al-Zaquan Amer|last2=Ngui|first2=Yantoultra|title=State fund to take over Malaysia Airlines, plans 'complete overhaul'|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-airline-idUSKBN0G807E20140808|access-date=9 August 2014|publisher=Reuters|date=8 August 2014|archive-date=3 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103015120/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-airline-idUSKBN0G807E20140808|url-status=live}}</ref> Malaysia Airlines [[Malaysia Airlines#2015–2020: Renationalisation, restructuring, and rebranding|renationalised]] on 1&nbsp;September 2015.

==== Compensation for passengers' next of kin ====
Lack of evidence in determining the cause of Flight 370's disappearance, as well as the absence of any physical confirmation that the airplane crashed, raises many issues regarding responsibility for the accident and the payments made by insurance agencies.<ref name=SMH-insurance>{{cite web|title=Missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 puzzle raises legal problems|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/missing-malaysia-airlines-flight-mh370-puzzle-raises-legal-problems-20140511-zr9fz.html|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=17 July 2014|date=11 May 2014|archive-date=2 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702080627/http://www.smh.com.au/world/missing-malaysia-airlines-flight-mh370-puzzle-raises-legal-problems-20140511-zr9fz.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Under the [[Montreal Convention]], it is the carrier's responsibility to prove lack of fault in an accident and each passenger's [[next of kin]] are automatically entitled, regardless of fault, to a payment of approximately US$175,000{{efn|The exact amount of this compensation is 113,100 [[special drawing rights]]. Using the official exchange rates on 16 July 2014, this is worth approximately: [[Malaysian ringgit|RM]]557,000; [[Renminbi|¥]]1,073,000; US$174,000; €129,000; or £102,000.}} from the airline's insurance company—amounting to a total of almost US$40&nbsp;million for the 227 passengers on board.<ref name=SMH-insurance />

Malaysia Airlines was also vulnerable to civil action from passengers' families.<ref name=SMH-insurance /> Compensation awarded during civil cases (or settlements reached out of court) was likely to vary widely among passengers, based on the country where the proceedings were to take place. An American court could be expected to award upwards of US$8–10&nbsp;million, while Chinese courts would be likely to award a small fraction of that amount.<ref name=CNBC-insurance>{{cite news|last1=Bishop|first1=Katrina|title=MH370 families face huge compensation disparity|url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/101522502|work=CNBC|access-date=17 July 2014|date=25 March 2014|archive-date=16 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716233436/http://www.cnbc.com/id/101522502|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=CNNMoney-insurance>{{cite web|last1=Wallace|first1=Gregory|title=Malaysia Airlines Flight 370: How much will families be paid?|url=https://money.cnn.com/2014/03/25/news/companies/malaysia-airlines-compensation/|website=CNN Money|access-date=17 July 2014|date=26 March 2014|archive-date=20 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620165258/http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/25/news/companies/malaysia-airlines-compensation|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the announcement that the flight ended in the southern Indian Ocean, it was not until 29&nbsp;January 2015 that the Malaysian government officially declared Flight 370 an accident with no survivors, a move that would allow compensation claims to be made.<ref name="BBC declared an accident">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-31039460 |title=MH370: Malaysia declares flight disappearance an accident |website=BBC News |date=29 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219115319/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31039460 |archive-date=19 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> The first civil case relating to the disappearance was filed in October 2014—even before Flight 370 had been declared an accident—on behalf of two Malaysian boys whose father was a passenger;{{efn|In March 2014, a petition for [[Discovery (law)|discovery]] was filed in a US court by a law firm, not representing relatives of families, against Boeing and Malaysia Airlines. It sought to obtain the names of manufacturers of aircraft parts along with maintenance records. It was reported in the media as a lawsuit or that Malaysia Airlines was being sued.<ref name="SCMP March 2014 lawsuit">{{cite news|title=American law firm plans to bring suit against Boeing and Malaysia Airlines|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1457610/american-law-firm-plans-bring-suit-against-boeing-and-malaysia-airlines|access-date=31 January 2015|work=South China Morning Post|agency=Reuters|archive-date=30 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030025928/http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1457610/american-law-firm-plans-bring-suit-against-boeing-and-malaysia-airlines|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Time-March 2014 lawsuit">{{cite news|last1=Liljas|first1=Per|title=Family Member Files Lawsuit Over Missing Jet as Frustrating Search Continues|url=http://time.com/38260/malaysia-airlines-sued-over-mh370-disappearance/|access-date=31 January 2015|magazine=Time|date=26 March 2014|archive-date=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130030507/http://time.com/38260/malaysia-airlines-sued-over-mh370-disappearance/|url-status=live}}</ref>}} they were claiming for negligence in failing to contact the aircraft soon after it was lost and for breach of contract for failing to bring the passenger to his destination.<ref name="WaPo first lawsuit by passenger families">{{cite news|last=Phillip|first=Abby|title=Two Malaysian boys sue airline, government in first case after MH370's mysterious disappearance|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/10/31/two-malaysian-boys-sue-airline-government-in-first-case-after-mh-370s-mysterious-disappearance/|archive-date=31 October 2014|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=31 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031162337/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/10/31/two-malaysian-boys-sue-airline-government-in-first-case-after-mh-370s-mysterious-disappearance/}}</ref> Additional civil proceedings against Malaysia Airlines were filed in China and Malaysia.<ref>{{cite news|title=MH370 disappearance: Chinese families file lawsuits seeking answers|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35747869|access-date=18 March 2017|work=BBC News|date=7 March 2016|archive-date=18 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318173929/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35747869|url-status=live}}</ref>

Soon after the disappearance of Flight 370, Malaysia Airlines offered ''[[ex gratia]]'' condolence payments to families of the passengers. In China, the families were offered ¥31,000 (approx. US$5,000) "comfort money",<ref name="AutoVQ-34"/> but some rejected the offer.<ref name="20140311themalaymailonline"/> It was also reported that Malaysian relatives received only $2,000.<ref name="20140311themalaymailonline"/> In June 2014, Malaysia's deputy Foreign Minister [[Hamzah Zainuddin]] said that families of seven passengers received $50,000 advance compensation from Malaysia Airlines, but that full payout would come after the aircraft was found, or officially declared lost<ref>{{cite web|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325114003/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/Flight-370-Malaysia-Airlines-begins-insurance-payments/articleshow/36488455.cms|title=Flight 370: Malaysia Airlines begins insurance payments|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/Flight-370-Malaysia-Airlines-begins-insurance-payments/articleshow/36488455.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=17 July 2014|date=13 June 2014|quote=[Hamzah Zainuddin] said full payout would come after the plane is found or officially declared lost.}}</ref> (which later occurred in January 2015).<ref name="BBC declared an accident" />

=== <span id="Criticism of Malaysian government">Malaysia</span> ===
[[File:Messages of Hope and Pray for MH370.jpg|thumb|Messages for MH370 at a bookshop in Malaysia|alt=Handwritten notes for the flight on display]]

====Before 2016====
Air force experts raised questions and the Malaysian opposition levelled criticisms about the state of Malaysia's air force and radar capabilities. Many criticised the failure of the Royal Malaysian Air Force to identify and respond to an unidentified aircraft (later determined to be Flight 370) flying through Malaysian airspace.<ref name="20110708themalaysianinsider"/><ref name="BBC_2014-03-16"/><ref name="malaysiakini"/><ref name="Time RMAF response">{{cite news|last1=Campbell|first1=Charlie|title=Another Lesson from MH370: Nobody is Watching Malaysian Airspace|url=http://time.com/26883/malaysian-air-force-slammed-for-failing-to-intercepted-mh370/|access-date=20 November 2014|magazine=Time|date=17 March 2014|archive-date=26 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126223709/http://time.com/26883/malaysian-air-force-slammed-for-failing-to-intercepted-mh370/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Malaysian military became aware of the unidentified aircraft only after reviewing radar recordings several hours after the flight's disappearance.<ref name="malaysiakini"/> The failure to recognise and react to the unidentified aircraft was a security breach, and was also a missed opportunity to intercept Flight 370 and prevent the time-consuming and expensive search operation.<ref name="malaysiakini"/><ref name="Time RMAF response" />

The Malaysian Prime Minister, [[Najib Razak]], responded to criticism of his government in an opinion piece published in ''The Wall Street Journal'' in which he acknowledged mistakes had been made, and said time would show that Malaysia had done its best, had helped co-ordinate the search, and would continue to provide support. Najib went on to emphasise the need for the aviation industry to "not only learn the lessons of MH370 but implement them," saying in closing that "the world learned from [[Air France Flight 447]] but didn't act. The same mistake must not be made again."<ref name="WSJ Najib Razak opinion">{{cite news|last1=Razak|first1=Najib|title=Malaysia's Lessons From the Vanished Airplane|url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303627504579559170123401220|access-date=22 November 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=13 May 2014|archive-date=5 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205210140/http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303627504579559170123401220|url-status=live}}</ref>

Opposition leader [[Anwar Ibrahim]] criticised the Malaysian government regarding its response to Flight 370's disappearance and the military's response when Flight 370 turned back over the Malay Peninsula; he called for an international committee to take charge of the investigation "to save the image of the country and to save the country."<ref name="HendersonMarch 4, 2014"/> Malaysian authorities have accused Anwar—who was jailed on contentious charges the day before Flight 370 disappeared—of politicising the crisis. Flight 370's captain was a supporter of Anwar, and the two men were acquainted.<ref name="HendersonMarch 4, 2014"/>

Questioned about why Malaysia did not scramble fighter jets to intercept the aircraft as it tracked back across the Malay Peninsula, acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin noted that it was deemed a commercial aircraft and was not hostile, remarking: "If you're not going to shoot it down, what's the point of sending [a fighter jet] up?"<ref>{{cite news|title=Multiple authorities let Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappear: ABC|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/23664489/multiple-authorities-let-malaysia-airlines-flight-mh370-disappear-abc/|access-date=22 November 2014|work=Yahoo News 7|date=20 March 2014|archive-date=20 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520091610/https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/23664489/multiple-authorities-let-malaysia-airlines-flight-mh370-disappear-abc/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to former air force pilot major Ahmad Zaidi of [[RMAF Butterworth Air Base|RMAF Butterworth]], no pilot stays on the base during the night, so the aircraft could not have been intercepted.<ref>{{cite web|last=admin|date=13 January 2015|title=Meet Major Zaidi, people's hero|url=https://www.therocket.com.my/en/meet-major-zaidi-peoples-hero/|access-date=6 January 2021|website=The Rocket|language=en-US|archive-date=8 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108065818/https://www.therocket.com.my/en/meet-major-zaidi-peoples-hero/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=26 July 2017|title=VIDEO. Vol MH370 : l'armée malaisienne a-t-elle commis une "grosse bourde" ?|url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/asie/boeing-disparu/video-vol-mh370-la-grosse-bourde-de-l-armee-malaisienne_2294339.html|access-date=6 January 2021|website=Franceinfo|language=fr|archive-date=7 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107074616/https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/asie/boeing-disparu/video-vol-mh370-la-grosse-bourde-de-l-armee-malaisienne_2294339.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The response to the crisis and lack of transparency in the response brought attention to the state of media in Malaysia. After decades of tight media control, during which government officials were accustomed to passing over issues without scrutiny or accountability, Malaysia was suddenly thrust into the spotlight of the global media and unable to adjust to demands for transparency.<ref name="Crikey-Criticism Malaysian government">{{cite news|last1=Kingsbury|first1=Damien|title=A sclerotic Malaysian government stumbles in MH370 crisis|url=http://www.crikey.com.au/2014/03/20/a-sclerotic-malaysian-government-stumbles-in-mh370-crisis/|access-date=22 November 2014|work=Crikey|date=20 March 2014|archive-date=21 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221144830/http://www.crikey.com.au/2014/03/20/a-sclerotic-malaysian-government-stumbles-in-mh370-crisis/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== March 2020 ====
On 8 March 2020, six years after the disappearance, two memorial events were held to mark the anniversary.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/families-search-mh370-years-disappearance-200308022632020.html|title=Families want new search for MH370, six years after disappearance|date=8 March 2020|publisher=Al Jazeera|website=[[Aljazeera.com]]|access-date=17 March 2020|archive-date=17 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317182822/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/families-search-mh370-years-disappearance-200308022632020.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://pocketimes.sinchew.com.my/%E6%B2%89%E7%97%9B%E6%80%80%E7%BC%85-mh370%E5%85%AD%E5%91%A8%E5%B9%B4/|title=沉痛怀缅 MH370六周年|date=8 March 2020|work=Pocketimes|language=zh|trans-title=Memories of the Sixth Anniversary of MH370|access-date=17 March 2020|archive-date=16 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416221211/https://pocketimes.sinchew.com.my/%E6%B2%89%E7%97%9B%E6%80%80%E7%BC%85-mh370%E5%85%AD%E5%91%A8%E5%B9%B4/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Families of MH370 passengers called for a new search for the flight in a bid to seek closure. Malaysia's former Transport Minister Anthony Loke had attended one of the events, expressing regret at being unable to table the compensation documents at the Cabinet level as per his original intent.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sinchew.com.my/content/content_2230062.html|title=MH370赔偿文件未呈内阁 成陆兆福最大遗憾|date=7 March 2020|work=Sinchew Daily|language=zh|trans-title=The MH370 compensation document was not submitted to the cabinet|access-date=17 March 2020|archive-date=16 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416221216/https://www.sinchew.com.my/content/content_2230062.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The families hoped that the new Transport Minister [[Wee Ka Siong]] could expedite the compensation matters.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2020/03/14/wee-perfect-fit-for-transport-minister/|title=Wee perfect fit for transport minister|date=14 March 2020|work=Free Malaysia Today|access-date=17 March 2020|archive-date=17 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317232121/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2020/03/14/wee-perfect-fit-for-transport-minister/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sinchew.com.my/content/content_2231520.html|title=MH370家属盼新交长·优先处理赔偿事宜|date=11 March 2020|work=Sinchew Daily|language=zh|trans-title=MH370's family members look forward to the new communications director|access-date=17 March 2020|archive-date=16 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416225147/https://www.sinchew.com.my/content/content_2231520.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Malaysia's transport ministry secretary-general, Datuk Isham Ishak, stated that he had already submitted a request to meet the Prime Minister ([[Muhyiddin Yassin]]) the following week of 15 to 22&nbsp;March so that he could present the paper on compensation for the families of MH370 victims, and that the ministry would also continue to seek support from the new government to resume the search for the missing aircraft.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/08/transport-ministry-to-meet-pm-over-compensation-for-next-of-kin-of-mh370-victims|title=Transport Ministry to meet PM over compensation for next-of kin of MH370 victims|date=8 March 2020|work=The Star|access-date=17 March 2020|archive-date=16 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416225308/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/08/transport-ministry-to-meet-pm-over-compensation-for-next-of-kin-of-mh370-victims|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== China ===
Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister [[Xie Hangsheng]] reacted sceptically to the conclusion by the Malaysian government that the aircraft had gone down with no survivors, demanding on 24&nbsp;March 2014 "all the relevant information and evidence about the satellite data analysis", and said that the Malaysian government must "finish all the work including search and rescue."<ref name=20140326nytbradsher/><ref name="BBC_2014-03-25_b"/> The following day, Chinese president [[Xi Jinping]] sent a special envoy to Kuala Lumpur to consult with the Malaysian government over the missing aircraft.<ref name="20140325news"/>

==== Relatives of passengers ====
In the days following the disappearance of Flight 370, relatives of those on board became increasingly frustrated at the lack of news.<ref name="20140309washingtonpost" /> On 25&nbsp;March 2014, around two hundred family members of the Chinese passengers protested outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing.<ref name="alJazeera25314"/><ref name="Standard25314"/> Relatives who had arrived in Kuala Lumpur after the announcement continued with their protest, accusing Malaysia of hiding the truth and harbouring a murderer. They also wanted an apology from the Malaysian government for its poor initial handling of the disaster and its "premature" conclusion of total loss, drawn without any physical evidence.<ref name="Branigan30-3-14"/> An [[op-ed]] in [[state media]] outlet ''[[China Daily]]'' said that Malaysia was not wholly to be blamed for its poor handling of such a "bizarre" and "unprecedented crisis," and appealed to the Chinese relatives not to allow emotions to prevail over evidence and rationality.<ref name="AutoVQ-56"/>

The Chinese ambassador to Malaysia defended the Malaysian government's response, stating that the "radical and irresponsible opinions [of the relatives] do not represent the views of Chinese people and the Chinese government".<ref name="JhaJune 4, 2014"/> The ambassador also strongly criticised Western media for having "published false news, stoked conflict and even spread rumours"<ref name="SMH_2014-04-03"/> to the detriment of relatives and of [[China–Malaysia relations|Sino–Malaysian relations]].<ref name="SMH_2014-04-03"/> On the other hand, a US Department of Defense official criticised China for what he perceived as providing apparently false leads that detracted from the search effort and wasted time and resources.<ref name="AutoVQ-57"/><ref name="AutoVQ-58"/>

In July 2019, Beijing-based family members of some MH370 victims received notice from Malaysia Airlines that from July 2019 onwards, MAS would discontinue the "Meet the Families" discussion sessions in Beijing, China. This came after around 50&nbsp;sessions had taken place.<ref>{{cite news|title=MH370失踪逾5年 马航7月起停止召开中国家属见面会|work=[[Oriental Daily]]|date=20 July 2019|language=zh-my|url=https://www.orientaldaily.com.my/news/international/2019/07/20/299002|access-date=17 March 2020|archive-date=16 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416221035/https://www.orientaldaily.com.my/news/international/2019/07/20/299002|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Boycotts ====
Some Chinese citizens [[boycott]]ed all things Malaysian, including holidays and singers, in protest of Malaysia's handling of the Flight 370 investigation.<ref name="LATimes-Chinese boycott">{{cite news|last1=Demick|first1=Barbara|title=Chinese boycott Malaysia over missing jetliner|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2014/mar/28/world/la-fg-wn-chinese-boycott-malaysia-over-missing-jetliner-20140328|access-date=30 August 2014|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=28 March 2014|archive-date=5 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905014841/http://articles.latimes.com/2014/mar/28/world/la-fg-wn-chinese-boycott-malaysia-over-missing-jetliner-20140328|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Millward|first1=Steven|title=As outrage grows over missing flight, Chinese websites ban Malaysia Airlines ticket sales|url=http://www.techinasia.com/china-flight-ticket-sites-boycott-malaysia-airlines-over-mh370/|access-date=30 August 2014|work=TechInAsia|date=28 March 2014|archive-date=2 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802181957/http://www.techinasia.com/china-flight-ticket-sites-boycott-malaysia-airlines-over-mh370/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bookings on Malaysia Airlines from China, where the majority of passengers were from, were down 60% in March.<ref name=NYT-MASfinances /> In late March, several major Chinese ticketing agencies—[[eLong]], LY.com, [[Baidu|Qunar]], and Mango—discontinued the sale of airline tickets to Malaysia<ref name="LATimes-Chinese boycott" /><ref name=Geektime>{{cite web|last1=Gat|first1=Aviva|title=Several Chinese travel booking sites boycott Malaysia Airlines|url=http://www.geektime.com/2014/03/31/several-chinese-travel-booking-sites-boycott-malaysia-airlines/|website=Geektime|access-date=30 August 2014|archive-date=3 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903104052/http://www.geektime.com/2014/03/31/several-chinese-travel-booking-sites-boycott-malaysia-airlines/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and several large Chinese travel agencies reported a 50% drop in tourists compared to the same period the year before.<ref name="SCMP-Chinese boycott">{{cite news|last1=Hong|first1=Zhang|last2=Zhou|first2=Laura|title=Chinese tourists boycott Malaysia in wake of MH370 disappearance|url=http://www.scmp.com/article/1457902/malaysia-tourism-hit-sharp-drop-chinese-visitors-wake-mh370-incident?page=all|access-date=30 August 2014|work=South China Morning Post|date=26 March 2014|archive-date=3 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903190004/http://www.scmp.com/article/1457902/malaysia-tourism-hit-sharp-drop-chinese-visitors-wake-mh370-incident?page=all|url-status=live}}</ref> China was the third-largest source of visitors to Malaysia prior to Flight 370's disappearance, accounting for 1.79&nbsp;million tourists in 2013. One market analyst predicted a 20–40% drop in Chinese tourists to Malaysia, resulting in a loss of 4–8&nbsp;billion yuan (RM2.1–4.2&nbsp;billion; US$0.65–1.3&nbsp;billion).<ref name="SCMP-Chinese boycott" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Malaysia to face losses of up to RM4&nbsp;billion in tourism revenue due to MH370, say analysts|url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysia-to-face-losses-of-up-to-rm4-billion-in-tourism-revenue-due-to-mh37|access-date=30 August 2014|work=[[The Malaysian Insider]]|date=27 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903061851/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysia-to-face-losses-of-up-to-rm4-billion-in-tourism-revenue-due-to-mh37|archive-date=3 September 2014}}</ref>

The boycotts were largely led or supported by celebrities.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chinese celebs lash out at M'sia over MH370|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/258383|access-date=1 December 2019|website=[[Malaysiakini]]|date=27 March 2014|archive-date=16 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416224533/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/258383|url-status=live}}</ref> Film star [[Chen Kun]] posted a message to [[Sina Weibo|Weibo]]—where he had 70&nbsp;million followers—stating that he would be boycotting Malaysia until its government told the truth. The post was shared over 70,000 times and drew over 30,000 comments. More than 337,000 people retweeted a tweet from TV host [[Meng Fei (host)|Meng Fei]], that said he would join the boycott.<ref name="SCMP-Chinese boycott" />

China and Malaysia had previously nominated 2014 to be the "[[China–Malaysia relations#Diplomatic ties|Malaysia–China Friendship Year]]" to celebrate 40&nbsp;years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.<ref name=Geektime />

=== <span id="Air transport authorities">Air transport industry</span> ===
The fact that a modern aircraft could disappear in a digitally connected world was met with surprise and disbelief by the public. While changes in the aviation industry often take years to be implemented, airlines and air transport authorities responded swiftly to take action on several measures to reduce the likelihood of a similar incident.<ref>{{cite news|title=How do you track a plane?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-26544554|access-date=25 November 2014|publisher=BBC News|date=17 March 2014|archive-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111071229/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-26544554|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Pasztor|first=Andy|title=After MH370, Air-Tracking Plan Unveiled|url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303851804579560962991371096|access-date=3 December 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=14 May 2014|archive-date=13 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313024120/https://segment-data.zqtk.net/dowjones-d8s23j?url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303851804579560962991371096.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WSJ air transport industry response">{{cite news|last1=Pasztor|first1=Andy|title=How to Avoid Another Malaysia Flight 370|url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/how-to-avoid-another-malaysia-flight-370-1405100436|access-date=3 December 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=13 July 2014|archive-date=10 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010095755/http://online.wsj.com/articles/how-to-avoid-another-malaysia-flight-370-1405100436|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rolphe|first=Martin|title=The future of aircraft surveillance and tracking|url=http://nats.aero/blog/2014/09/future-aircraft-surveillance-tracking/|work=[[NATS Holdings|NATS]]|date=17 September 2014|access-date=12 April 2015|archive-date=7 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607190920/http://nats.aero/blog/2014/09/future-aircraft-surveillance-tracking/|url-status=live}}</ref>
<!-- Add short paragraph about failure to take action when similar proposals were made in the wake of AF447...
Flight 370's disappearance came nearly five years after the loss of Air France Flight 447 and the two incidents have been; the first recommendation to the ICAO was to: "extend as rapidly as possible to 90 days the regulatory transmission time for [underwater locator beacons] installed on flight recorders".<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Report: Flight AF 447 on 1st June 2009 A330-203, registered F-GZCP|url=http://www.bea.aero/docspa/2009/f-cp090601.en/pdf/f-cp090601.en.pdf|website=bea.aero|publisher=Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la sécurité de l'aviation civile|access-date=3 December 2014|format=PDF|date=27 July 2012}}</ref> {{Rp|203}} -->

==== <span id="Real-time tracking">Aircraft tracking</span> ====
{{See also<!-- The link is just one issue, not a broad issue, so "see also" is the appropriate template, not "further". -->|Future Air Navigation System#Surveillance improvements}}
The [[International Air Transport Association]] (IATA)—an industry trade organisation representing more than 240 airlines (accounting for 84% of global air traffic)—and the ICAO began working on implementing new measures to track aircraft in flight in real time.<ref name="IATA tracking press release"/> The IATA created a task force (which included several outside stakeholders)<ref name="IATA tracking press release"/> to define a minimal set of requirements that any tracking system must meet, allowing airlines to decide the best solution to track their aircraft. The IATA's task force planned to come up with several short-, medium-, and long-term solutions to ensure that information is provided in a timely manner to support search, rescue, and recovery activities in the wake of an aircraft accident.<ref name="DW tracking">{{cite web|last=Domínguez|first=Gabriel|title=What has the aviation industry learned from Flight MH370?|url=http://www.dw.de/what-has-the-aviation-industry-learned-from-flight-mh370/a-17871162|website=[[Deutsche Welle]]|access-date=19 October 2014|date=22 August 2014|archive-date=19 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019114757/http://www.dw.de/what-has-the-aviation-industry-learned-from-flight-mh370/a-17871162|url-status=live}}</ref> The task force was expected to provide a report to the ICAO on 30&nbsp;September 2014, but announced on that date that the report would be delayed, citing the need for further clarification on some issues.<ref name="FlightTracking">{{cite news|title=IATA wants new airline tracking equipment|url=http://www.malaysiasun.com/index.php/sid/222727817/scat/5e8a9e9456185a7e/ht/IATA-wants-new-airline-tracking-equipment|access-date=10 June 2014|newspaper=Malaysia Sun|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223314/http://www.malaysiasun.com/index.php/sid/222727817/scat/5e8a9e9456185a7e/ht/IATA-wants-new-airline-tracking-equipment|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Martell|first=Allison|title=Task force delays aircraft tracking plans promised after MH370 mystery|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-airlines-safety-tracking-idUKKCN0HP2C420140930|access-date=8 October 2014|publisher=Reuters|location=Toronto|date=30 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012225150/https://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/09/30/uk-airlines-safety-tracking-idUKKCN0HP2C420140930 |archive-date=12 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2014, the IATA task force recommended that, within 12&nbsp;months, airlines track commercial aircraft in no longer than 15-minute intervals. The IATA itself did not support the deadline, which it believed could not be met by all airlines, but the proposed standard had the support of the ICAO. Although the ICAO can set standards, it has no legal authority, and such standards must be adopted by member states.<ref name="air tracking ICAO standards">{{cite news|title=UN Aviation Body to Propose 15-minute Flight Tracking Standard|url=https://www.voanews.com/content/reu-un-aviation-body-to-propose-15-minute-flight-tracking-standard/2588127.html|access-date=24 January 2015|website=VOA News|agency=Reuters|date=6 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109192322/https://www.voanews.com/content/reu-un-aviation-body-to-propose-15-minute-flight-tracking-standard/2588127.html |archive-date=9 January 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="PM ICAO tracking standards">{{cite web|last=Peterson|first=Barbara|title=Here's Why Airliners Still Don't Have Real-Time Tracking Tech|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/aviation/safety/mh370-missing-jets-tracking-technology-17521859|website=Popular Mechanics|access-date=24 January 2015|date=12 December 2014|archive-date=13 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313023931/https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/a13340/mh370-missing-jets-tracking-technology-17521859/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016, the ICAO adopted a standard that, by November 2018, all aircraft over open ocean report their position every 15&nbsp;minutes.<ref name="phys.org: ICAO 2016 amendments"/> In March, the ICAO approved an amendment to the Chicago Convention requiring new aircraft manufactured after 1&nbsp;January 2021 to have autonomous tracking devices which could send location information at least once per minute in distress circumstances.<ref name="phys.org: ICAO 2016 amendments">{{cite news|last=Lowy|first=Joan|title=Airlines slow to adopt safety technologies after MH370|url=http://phys.org/news/2016-03-airlines-safety-technologies-mh370.html|access-date=21 April 2016|work=phys.org|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Science X Network|date=4 March 2016|archive-date=7 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407042639/http://phys.org/news/2016-03-airlines-safety-technologies-mh370.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ASN: ICAO 2016 amendments">{{cite web|title=ICAO updates Annex 6 with requirements to help avoid recurrence of MH370-type disappearances|url=http://news.aviation-safety.net/2016/03/07/icao-updates-annex-6-with-requirements-to-help-avoid-recurrence-of-mh370-type-disappearances/|website=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=21 April 2016|date=7 March 2016|archive-date=30 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430102540/http://news.aviation-safety.net/2016/03/07/icao-updates-annex-6-with-requirements-to-help-avoid-recurrence-of-mh370-type-disappearances/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In May 2014, [[Inmarsat]] said that it would offer its tracking service for free to all aircraft equipped with an Inmarsat satellite connection (which includes the vast majority of commercial airliners).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10824544/Inmarsat-offers-to-track-aircraft-for-free-after-Malaysia-Airlines-disaster.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10824544/Inmarsat-offers-to-track-aircraft-for-free-after-Malaysia-Airlines-disaster.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Inmarsat offers to track aircraft for free after Malaysia Airlines disaster |date=12 May 2014|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=4 April 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Inmarsat also changed the time period for handshakes with its terminals from one hour to 15&nbsp;minutes.<ref name=JN-Inmarsat>{{cite journal|last1=Ashton|first1=Chris|last2=Bruce|first2=Alan Shuster|last3=Colledge|first3=Gary|last4=Dickinson|first4=Mark|title=The Search for MH370|journal=The Journal of Navigation|volume=68|pages=1–22|date=14 September 2014|doi=10.1017/S037346331400068X|doi-access=free}}</ref>{{Rp|2}}

==== Transponders ====
There was a call for automated [[Transponder (aeronautics)|transponders]] after the [[September 11 attacks|terrorist attacks of 11&nbsp;September 2001]]; no changes were made because aviation experts preferred flexible control, in case of malfunctions or electrical emergencies.<ref name="cbsnews"/> In the aftermath of Flight 370's disappearance, the air transport industry was still resistant to the installation of automated transponders, which would likely entail significant costs. Pilots also criticised changes of this kind, insisting on the need to cut power to equipment in the event of a fire. Nonetheless, new types of tamper-proof [[circuit breaker]]s were being considered.<ref name="WSJ air transport industry response" />

==== Flight recorders ====
{{further|Search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370#Underwater locator beacons}}
[[File:Towed pinger locator.svg|thumb|right|Detection of the acoustic signal from the ULBs must be made below the [[thermocline]] and within a maximum range, under nominal conditions, of {{convert|2000-3000|m|abbr=on}}. With a ULB battery life of 30–40 days, searching for the important flight recorders is very difficult without precise coordinates of the location at which the aircraft entered the water.|alt=Diagram of location of ship, thermocline, towed pinger locater at end of tow cable, and blackbox pinger.]]

The intensive and urgent search for the flight recorders in early April 2014, due to the 30-day battery life of the [[underwater locator beacon]]s (ULBs) (or "pingers") attached to them, drew attention to their inherent limitations.{{efn|Regulations required ULBs to transmit a minimum of 30&nbsp;days. The ULBs on the flight recorders on Flight&nbsp;370 had a minimum 30-day battery life after immersion. The ULB manufacturer predicted the maximum battery life was 40&nbsp;days after immersion.<ref name=ATSB />{{Rp|11}}}}<ref name="Rethink planes">{{cite web|last=Stupples|first=David|title=MH370 should make us rethink how we monitor planes|url=http://phys.org/news/2014-04-mh370-rethink-planes.html|website=Phys.org|access-date=20 January 2015|date=9 April 2014|archive-date=22 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122080644/http://phys.org/news/2014-04-mh370-rethink-planes.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The maximum distance from the ULBs at which the signal can be detected is normally {{convert|2000-3000|m|abbr=on}}, or {{convert|4500|m|ft|abbr=on}} under favourable conditions.<ref name=ATSB />{{Rp|11}} Even if the flight recorders are located, the cockpit voice recorder memory has the capacity to store only two hours of data, continuously recording over the oldest data. This storage capacity complies with regulations, which take account of the fact that it is usually only the data recordings from the last section of a flight that are needed to determine the cause of an accident. However, the events that led to Flight&nbsp;370 diverting from its course, before disappearing, took place more than two hours before the flight ended<!-- mentioned earlier in the article...between 08:19 and 09:15, based on satellite communications -->.<ref name="BBC FR limitations">{{cite news|last=de Castella|first=Tom|title=Malaysia plane: Why black boxes can't always provide the answers|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26721975|access-date=22 January 2015|publisher=BBC News|date=25 March 2014|archive-date=22 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222042751/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26721975|url-status=live}}</ref> Given these shortcomings, and the importance of the data stored on flight recorders, Flight&nbsp;370 has brought to attention new technologies that enable [[Flight recorder#After Malaysia Airlines Flight 370|data streaming to the ground]].<ref name="SMH remote blackboxes">{{cite news|last=Allard|first=Tom|title=MH370: Expert demands better black box technology|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/mh370-expert-demands-better-black-box-technology-20140428-zr0vn.html|access-date=21 January 2015|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=28 April 2014|archive-date=3 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703031312/http://www.smh.com.au/world/mh370-expert-demands-better-black-box-technology-20140428-zr0vn.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Phys.org blackbox streaming">{{cite web|last=Yu|first=Yijun|title=If we'd used the cloud, we might know where MH370 is now|url=http://phys.org/news/2014-03-cloud-mh370.html#nRlv|website=Phys.org|access-date=21 January 2015|date=19 March 2014|archive-date=22 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122071128/http://phys.org/news/2014-03-cloud-mh370.html#nRlv|url-status=live}}</ref>

A call to increase the battery life of ULBs was made following the unsuccessful initial search in 2009 for the flight recorders on [[Air France Flight 447]], which were not located until 2011. A formal recommendation that the ULB design be upgraded to offer a longer battery life, or to make the recorders ejectable, had been included in the final report of the board of inquiry into the loss of [[South African Airways Flight 295]] over the Indian Ocean in 1987, but it was not until 2014 that the [[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]] made such a recommendation, with implementation required by 2018.<ref name="SMH remote blackboxes" /> The [[European Aviation Safety Agency]] (EASA) issued new regulations that require the transmitting time of ULBs fitted to aircraft flight recorders to be increased from 30 to 90 days, to be implemented by 1&nbsp;January 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/newsroom-and-events/news/easa-certifies-first-long-range-underwater-locator-device-designed-and|title=EASA certifies first Long Range Underwater Locator Device designed and manufactured in Europe|date=4 April 2017|publisher=European Aviation Safety Agency|access-date=9 February 2019|archive-date=9 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209232241/https://www.easa.europa.eu/newsroom-and-events/news/easa-certifies-first-long-range-underwater-locator-device-designed-and|url-status=live}}</ref> The agency has also proposed that a new underwater locator beacon with a greater range of transmission should be fitted to aircraft that fly over oceans.<ref name="DW tracking" /> In June 2015, Dukane, a manufacturer of underwater locator beacons, began selling beacons with a 90-day battery life.<ref name="HEICO press release"/>

In March 2016, the ICAO adopted several amendments to the [[Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation|Chicago Convention]] in order to address issues raised by the disappearance of Flight&nbsp;370. These affected aircraft manufactured after 2020, requiring cockpit voice recorders to record at least 25&nbsp;hours of data, to ensure that all phases of a flight are recorded.<ref name="phys.org: ICAO 2016 amendments"/><ref name="ASN: ICAO 2016 amendments"/> Aircraft designs approved after 2020 must incorporate a means of recovering the flight recorders, or the information contained on them, before the recorders sink below the water. This provision is performance-based so that it can be accomplished by different techniques, such as streaming flight recorder data from a stricken aircraft, or using flight recorders that eject from the aircraft and float on the surface of the water.<ref name="ASN: ICAO 2016 amendments"/> The new regulations do not require modifications to be made to existing aircraft.<ref name="phys.org: ICAO 2016 amendments"/>

==== Safety recommendations ====
In January 2015, the U.S. [[National Transportation Safety Board]] cited Flight 370 and [[Air France Flight 447]] when it issued eight safety recommendations{{efn|A-15-1 to A-15-8}} related to locating aircraft wreckage in remote or underwater locations, and repeated recommendations for a crash-protected cockpit image recorder and tamper-resistant flight recorders and transponders.<ref name="NTSB safety recommendations letter">{{cite web|last=Huerta|first=Michael P.|title=Safety Recommendation: A – 15 – 1 through – 8|url=https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-recs/recletters/A-15-001-008.pdf|website=NTSB|access-date=13 February 2015|date=22 January 2015|archive-date=13 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213230150/http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-recs/recletters/A-15-001-008.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NTSB safety recommendations press release"/>