The chief of the Joint Agency Coordination Center (JACC) said Australia, China, Malaysia will share cost of contracted MH370 operations, media reported.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Monday that his government will engage one or more commercial companies to undertake the search.

That would cost an estimated $60 million and Australia would seek contributions from other countries, The Australian reported.

Abbott declared that the search for the missing flight MH370?has entered a new phase with expanded search area after fifty-two days since the flight disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8.

Abbot said the air search is being suspended while underwater search efforts will be expanded.