
In its statement issued on Monday morning, the airlines said it has been more than 48 hours since it lost contact with the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
"Despite not being able to establish any positive findings on the whereabouts of the aircraft, Malaysia Airlines has been actively cooperating with the search and rescue authorities coordinated by the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia (DCA)."
DCA has confirmed that search and rescue teams from Australia, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines and the United States of America have joined the search.
The airlines will bear the expenses for the families of the passengers, the statement said, Malaysia Airlines' primary focus at this point in time is to care for the families. This means providing them with timely information, travel facilities, accommodation, meals, medical and emotional support. Initial financial assistance has been given out to all families over and above their basic needs.
At least one caregiver is assigned to each family. These caregivers are well-trained staff and volunteers from Malaysia and other organisations.
As of now, there are more than 150 "Go Team" members consisting of senior management and caregivers at Beijing to attend to these families. In Kuala Lumpur, a different group of caregivers are attending to the families’ needs.
Families from other nations apart from China have been arriving at Kuala Lumpur since early yesterday. More are expected to arrive today.
Malaysia Airlines is working closely with the government of China to expedite the issuance of passports for the families as well as with the immigration of Malaysia for their visas into Malaysia.
It reiterated that it will continue to be transparent in communicating with the general public via the media in all matters affecting MH370.