CANBERRA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been updated after a new credible lead was provided to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the agency said in its latest media release on Friday.
AMSA confirmed that Friday's search will shift to an area 1,100 kilometers to the northeast of the current search area based on updated advice provided by the international investigation team in Malaysia.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), Australia's investigation agency, has examined this advice and determined that this is the most credible lead to where debris may be located.
According to AMSA, the new search area is approximately 319,000 square kilometers and around 1,850 kilometers west of Perth.
The new information is based on continuing analysis of radar data between the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca before radar contact was lost.
"It indicated that the aircraft was traveling faster than previously estimated, resulting in increased fuel usage and reducing the possible distance the aircraft traveled south into the Indian Ocean," the release said.
AMSA also confirmed that ATSB advises the potential flight path may be the subject of further refinement as the international investigative team supporting the search continues their analysis. The Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organization is re-tasking satellites to image the new area.
Friday's air search of the southern Indian Ocean for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 resumed with nine military aircraft from six nations taking part.
The military aircraft scheduled to fly were two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P3 Orions, a Republic of Korea P3 Orion, a Republic of Korea C130 Hercules, a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3 Orion, a Chinese Ilyushin IL-76, a United States Navy P8 Poseidon aircraft, and a Japanese coast guard jet and a P3 Orion, said a statement from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
One civil aircraft would act as a communications relay in the search area.
The first aircraft to leave Perth for the search area was the Chinese Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft at about 9 a.m. local time.
"There are now six vessels relocating to the new search area including HMAS Success and five Chinese ships," AMSA's update said later this morning.
Earlier Friday morning, AMSA said that a total of five ships, four from China and one from Australia, were tasked to the search operation.
A further RAAF P3 Orion has been placed on standby at the Pearce Airbase to investigate any reported sightings.
