An expert review into the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and its 239 passengers has uncovered a new and much smaller area where it is strongly believed the plane will finally be found.

Key points: Expert review suggests new area where wreckage is likely located

Expert review suggests new area where wreckage is likely located Plane is likely north-east of current search area, report says

Plane is likely north-east of current search area, report says Authorities plan to end search next year

The flight disappeared on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in 2014 sparking a two-and-a-half year search of more than 120,000 square kilometres of the Indian Ocean.

Experts working with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) argue new evidence points to just a 25,000 square kilometre area right above the original search area.

The report is a result of a first principles review meeting held in Canberra last month, which was attended by experts from around the globe.

Plane likely to be found north-east of current search area

The report concluded on the basis of extensive new drift analysis by the CSIRO that the plane would almost certainly not be found in the current area, which has been combed extensively.

Instead it will likely be found in a much smaller area to the north-east of the current area.

"There is a high degree of confidence that the previously identified underwater area searched to date does not contain the missing aircraft," the report states.

"Given the elimination of this area, the experts identified an area of approximately 25,000 square kilometres as the area with the highest probability of containing the wreckage of the aircraft.

"The experts concluded that, if this area were to be searched, prospective areas for locating the aircraft wreckage, based on all the analysis to date, would be exhausted."

Despite the report, authorities still plan on wrapping up the search operation early next year if they do not find the Boeing 777.

A report released last month found it was unlikely the plane was in a controlled descent when it crashed into the Indian Ocean.

Minister remains hopeful they will find plane in current area

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said despite the report he remained hopeful they would find the plane in the current search area.

More than 20 items of debris have washed-up on coastlines across Africa, Madagascar and La Reunion Island. ( Reuters: Stringer France )

"We are very close to completing the 120,000 square kilometre underwater search area," he said

"As agreed at the Tripartite Ministers meeting in Malaysia in July we will be suspending the search unless credible evidence is available that identifies the specific location of the aircraft.

"The search for MH370 has been the largest in aviation history and has tested the limits of technology, and the capacity of our experts and people at sea.

"Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of the 239 people on board."

More than 20 items of debris have been recovered and identified as likely to have come off MH370.

The first object found was a flaperon that washed on a beach on La Réunion Island in July 2015.

Other items have been found along the east and south coast of Africa, the east coast of Madagascar and the Islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean.