Families of MH370 passengers advised to receive information at home

Malaysia Airlines' Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said Thursday in a statement that the families of the missing MH370 flight were advised to receive information at their homes as the search and investigation would be a prolonged process and advanced compensation payments would be made.

The statement said, according to past experience, the continuing search and investigation would be a prolonged process and the company was adjusting the mode of services and support.

"Instead of staying in hotels, the families of MH370 are advised to receive information updates on the progress of the search and investigation and other support by Malaysia Airlines within the comfort of their own homes, with the support and care of their families and friends," Xinhua quoted the statement as saying.

It also said all of the company's Family Assistance Centres around the world would be closed by May 7, 2014, and Malaysia Airlines would keep in close touch with the families on the news updates through various ways.

"With the support of the Malaysian government, the airline's Family Support Centres will be established in Kuala Lumpur and in Beijing," it said, adding that the detailed plan of follow-up support and services would be informed in person to the families.

Moreover, the statement said Malaysia Airlines would make advanced compensation payments to the nominated next-of-kin who are entitled to claim compensation.

"Such advanced payments will not affect the rights of the next-of-kin to claim compensation according to the law at a later stage, and will be calculated as part of the final compensation," it said.

It also said the company's representatives would be in touch with the families to initiate the advanced compensation payment after they had returned home.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished mysteriously about an hour after taking off for Beijing from Kuala Lumpur shortly after midnight March 8.

The Boeing 777-200ER was scheduled to land in Beijing the same morning. The 227 passengers on board included five Indians, 154 Chinese and 38 Malaysians.