The search area for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 over the Indian Ocean has been shifted to another area following a new lead provided to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) by the multi-national investigation team in Malaysia.

Australia’s investigation agency, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), has analysed the advice and confirmed it to be the most credible lead for aircraft debris.

With the new lead, the search will now shift to an area 1,100km to the north-east, which is around 319,000km² and 1,850km west of Perth.

"The latest information is based on ongoing analysis of radar data between the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca before the aircraft lost contact."

The Beijing-bound MH370 was travelling faster than estimated, causing increased fuel usage and reducing the distance it travelled, with the potential flight path expected to be subject to further refinement, authorities said.

The latest information is based on ongoing analysis of radar data between the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca before the aircraft lost contact.

AMSA general manager John Young was quoted by CNN as saying that four aircraft are currently over the search area, with additional six jets set to join the search.

The latest search for flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean comes after Japan and Thailand sent new satellite images to Malaysia showing separate debris locations that possibly belong to the missing jet, which disappeared off radars on 8 March with 239 people onboard.

Defence Technology