Family members of those who went missing with the flight demand answers and are pushing for the search to continue. Speaking at a remembrance with the families this week, Malaysia’s transportation minister, Loke, said that the government was ready to invite Ocean Infinity to discuss another “no-find, no-fee” search using new technology if credible evidence was ascertained. “I will do everything possible to get the cabinet’s approval to sign a new contract with Ocean Infinity for the search to resume as soon as possible,” he said.

The company’s chief executive, Oliver Plunkett, confirmed in an email that it had submitted a fresh proposal and that “we hope to get back to the search soon.” Since its last attempt, he added, the company has enhanced its ocean search capabilities with robotics and other technology.

One expert said a new search was warranted.

“On the one hand, the mystery, per se, may not be solved completely. Because I don’t know how much evidence is there to say what actually happened to the plane,” said Charitha Pattiaratchi, a professor of coastal oceanography at the University of Western Australia who has conducted drift analysis to predict the wreckage’s location. “But finding the wreckage, it will finally bring some closure to the actual people who lost their loved ones.”

Jennifer Hassan contributed to this report.