Two pieces of debris found on beaches in South Africa and Mauritius on March 22 and 30, respectively, are "almost certainly" from missing Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, a report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has found. The flight disappeared in March 2014, seemingly without a trace. A search in the southern Indian Ocean, thousands of kilometers off the west coast of Australia, is ongoing. Since then one piece of debris has conclusively been linked to the plane. The update to the ongoing report, published May 12, states that the two items -- determined to be a segment from an aircraft engine cowling and an interior panel from the main cabin -- were from a Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777, and "almost certainly" from the aircraft registered 9M-MRO, the registration number of the missing plane.<br/>Part no. 3 was identified as a Rolls Royce engine cowling segment, almost certainly from the aircraft. The piece designated "Part No. 3," the engine cowling, features a partial stencil from manufacturer Rolls Royce. "The panel thickness, materials and construction conformed to the applicable drawings for Boeing 777 engine cowlings," the report states. While the stencil was not unique to the missing plane, it was consistent with the logo used by Malaysian Airlines. It was inconclusive as to which engine the cowling came from, the report added. "Part No. 4," the other piece of debris -- an interior panel -- was identified by a hinge on a closet panel. "The part materials, dimensions, construction and fasteners were all consistent with the drawing for the panel assembly and matched that installed on other" Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 craft, the report states.<br/>
oneworld
Finnair has reported a deeper-than-expected quarterly, saying it hoped the government would allow its ownership in the firm to be reduced to keep doors open for mergers and acquisitions. The airline has struggled in recent years with tough competition from discount carriers, but cost savings and a focus on flights to Asia helped it make an annual profit last year. In its seasonally slow Q1, Finnair booked a core operating loss of E15m. Finnair said low market fuel prices were not fully reflected in its results due to hedging, but added that its fuel costs would decline later this year and sales were set to grow in 2016 with the help of new aircraft. The Finnish government, which owns 55.8% of Finnair, is reportedly planning to scrap a clause obliging the state to hold a majority stake in the carrier, and put the issue to a vote in parliament. Finnair CE Pekka Vauramo said that such a change would help it prepare for possible consolidation. "Finnair too should prepare for the consolidation in every way, so that the owners would be ready to make fast decisions when the time comes," he said. "The preparation would be good to do in advance." However, he pointed out that Finnair needed to keep a majority ownership in Finnish hands due to Finland's air traffic agreement with Russia. <br/>
An Australian couple who lost three children in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 have had a new baby. Marite 'Rin' Norris and Anthony Maslin announced their daughter, Violet May, saying in a statement she had brought them "love and light, hope and joy." She was born Tuesday, May 10. The couple's three other children -- Mo, Evie, and Otis Maslin -- died alongside their grandfather Nick Norris when MH17 was shot down over Ukraine in July 2014. "Our family was torn apart when MH17 was blown out of the sky," the Maslins said, in a statement released by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs.They added: "We believe that Mo, whose 14th birthday was Saturday, Evie, 12 next week, Otis, 10 next month, and Grandad Nick have sent us an amazing gift. Violet's birth is a testament to our belief that love is stronger than hate."<br/>