British company launches 'final search' for Malaysian Airlines plane MH370 in hopes of finding the wreckage

It's one of the biggest aviation mysteries ever, but could we be on the verge of finally finding the missing Malaysia Airlines plane MH370?

Flight MH370 departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport on 8 March 2014, with its destination being Beijing, China.

However, the aircraft would never arrive. What exactly happened next isn't too clear, however, we do know the flight lost contact with air traffic control at 1:19am, while flying over the South China Sea.

Investigators believe the plane likely crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean, around 2,500km west of the Australian city of Perth, presumably killing all 239 passengers onboard.

It's been over a decade since the plane vanished (ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The bulk of the wreckage or remains of those onboard have never been recovered, prompting numerous conspiracy theories over what 'really' happened to MH370 over the years.

But without the wreckage, we'll never know for sure.

However, one marine robotics company is hoping to change that.

Leading what is likely to be the last search for the doomed plane is Southampton-based company Ocean Infinity which is now combing the seabed of the Indian Ocean in search of clues.

According to The Independent, the company's deep-water support vessel Armada 7806 was seen heading to various locations where researchers believe the plane may be. The vessel is expected to spend around six weeks searching in total.

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are then deployed to thoroughly scan the seabed floor, which are operated remotely from Ocean Infinity's headquarters.

The Telegraph adds that the search is backed by the Malaysian government, who previously agreed to a 'no find, no fee' deal with the robotics company at the end of last year.

Meaning that Ocean Infinity will only receive a payout if it finds the wreckage. However, the company doesn't appear to have signed a deal with Kuala Lumpur, with Malaysian transport minister Anthony Loke confirming that an agreement was still to be made.

Plane debris believed to be from MH370 (ARIF KARTONO/AFP via Getty Images)

"Nevertheless, we welcome the proactiveness of Ocean Infinity to search for MH370 as this is great news for all the victims’ next of kin," he said of the news, adding that Ocean Infinity and the Malaysian government were still 'finalising the details for the contract to be signed'.

Relatives of the passengers previously welcomed the decision to restart the search, as it could mean the mystery of what happened to their loved ones is finally solved.

"I am so happy for the news... [It] feels like the best Christmas present ever," Jacquita Gonzales, the wife of MH370 inflight supervisor Patrick Gomes, told the New Straits Times (via BBC).

"This announcement stirs mixed emotions - hope, gratitude, and sorrow. After nearly 11 years, the uncertainty and pain of not having answers have been incredibly difficult for us," Intan Maizura Othaman, wife of cabin crew member Mohd Hazrin Mohamed Hasnan added.