The search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will be suspended if the plane is not found in the current search area by the end of the year, Malaysia's transport minister has announced.

In a joint press conference in Kuala Lumpur following a meeting with his Australian counterpart Darren Chester and Chinese counterpart Yang Chuantang, Malaysian minister Liow Tiong Lai said the search had been "severely impacted" by poor weather and damaged equipment.

It had covered a search area of around 110,000 square kilometres, and had another 10,000 square kilometres to go, with the remaining search lasting until October or possibly December.

At this time, the search would be called off.



"Today in our meeting, and in the absence of credible new evidence, Australia, China and Malaysia have collectively decided to suspend the search upon the completion of the 120,000 kilometre search area," Mr Liow said.