Malaysia Airlines to close assistance centers for relatives

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia Airlines on Thursday said it would close all its assistance centers for relatives of people aboard the missing jetliner, two months after the tragedy. The airline has been billeting in hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Beijing and other countries relatives of 239 people aboard the Beijing-bound MH 370 that disappeared an hour after it took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 8. It has also hired counsellors to provide assistance to the next of kin staying in hotels, while waiting for developments in the search and rescue operations. "Instead of staying in hotels, the families of MH370 are advised to receive information updates on the progress of the search and investigation and other support by Malaysia Airlines within the comfort of their own homes," chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said. "In line with this adjustment, Malaysia Airlines will be closing all of its Family Assistance Centers around the world by 7 May 2014," he added.