Search mission for Malaysian plane "complex": ICAO

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) said Wednesday that the search and rescue efforts for the missing Malaysian jetliner are a complex job, declining to forecast the outcomes of the search.

"The search and rescue at sea involve complex operations coordinated over vast geographical areas. The ICAO does not comment on potential outcomes of search and rescue operations which are still ongoing," an ICAO spokesperson told Xinhua in an interview.

The ICAO currently requires underwater locator beacons which are attached to flight recorders to help locate flight recorders underwater, to operate for no less than 30 days, said the spokesperson, who declined to be named.

But significant water depth can impede the ability for the signal to be detected from the water surface, the spokesperson said.

In light of recent advances in battery technology, the ICAO recently has amended its provisions to require the beacons to operate for 90 days as soon as possible, but not later than January 2018, the spokesperson added.

The ICAO also noted the cooperative spirit demonstrated by the countries involved in continued search for the missing Malaysian flight.

According to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), when an accident to an aircraft of a contracting country occurs in another contracting country, the country in which the accident occurs will institute an inquiry into the accident, the spokesperson said.

The country of aircraft registry can appoint representatives to be present during the investigation and the investigating country is expected to communicate any findings or reports to it, the spokesperson said.

If an accident happens over the high seas, the country of registry would be responsible for instituting and conducting the investigation of the occurrence, while countries nearest the scene of an accident in international waters shall provide such assistance as they are able and shall, likewise, respond to requests by the country of registry, the spokesperson added.

The ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations, currently headquartered in Montreal, Canada. It was founded in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world.

It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, and efficiency, among others.