Malaysia Airlines (MAS) today has refuted  reports that the national airliner did not inform the next-of-kin of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 victims prior to a special announcement by the government on the plane's disappearance.

MAS said the airline had contacted all next-of-kin in Malaysia and around the world to notify them of the impending announcement by the government on Jan 29.

"Prior to the scheduled announcement by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) Malaysia (on 29 Jan), all next-of-kin were notified via telephone calls, and in certain instances by text messages when the calls were unanswered.

"These were done personally by its Family Support Centre, caregivers or representatives from the airline's regional offices," it said in a statement here.

It added that the next-of-kin in China were notified via text messages by Malaysia Airline's Family Communications and Support Centre in Beijing.

The statement also reassured the public that the airline would continue to organise engagement sessions with family members together with the Malaysian government and related agencies to discuss matters relating to the declaration.

"Malaysia Airlines remains committed to provide for the well-being of family members of those onboard MH370. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at all times," the statement said.

On Jan 29, the missing MAS Flight MH370 was officially declared an accident under international aviation rules, and that all 239 passengers and crew aboard are presumed to have lost their lives.

In making the announcement, the Malaysian government stressed that the search for the Boeing 777 remains a priority.

The Boeing 777 aircraft which was carrying 12 crew members and 227 passengers, including two infants, disappeared from radar screens while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, about an hour after departing from the KL International Airport at 12.41am on March 8, 2014. It was scheduled to land in Beijing at 6.30am the same day.

- Bernama