TROUBLE AHEAD FOR NAJIB, HISHAM: Grieving wife appalled by Malaysia's 'BAG OF TRICKS'

The wife of a Christchurch man lost on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 says bringing him home is more important than any amount of compensation.

Danica Weeks, whose husband Paul was one of 239 passengers and crew lost on the March 8 flight, said she was "appalled" by Malaysia's formal announcement last night that the plane's disappearance was an accident.

Department of Civil Aviation director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said in a statement that investigations had failed to substantiate any of the dozens of theories about what happened to the plane, indicating the mystery may never be solved.

"It is therefore, with the heaviest heart and deepest sorrow that, on behalf of the Government of Malaysia, we officially declare that Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 an accident … and that all 239 of the passengers and crew on board are presumed to have lost their lives.

"Without in any way intending to diminish the feelings of the families, it is hoped that this declaration will enable the families to obtain the assistance they need, in particular through the compensation process," Azharuddin said.

Danica with MH370 'missing' husband Paul Weeks

Not fair at all

Weeks, who is based in Perth with her two sons, Lincoln and Jack, said the announcement was "not fair at all" and she would not accept any compensation.

"I want them to find the plane. It's not about the money; It's about bringing [Paul] home – he deserves that, they all deserve that."

Other relatives of those on board also expressed outrage over the move.

Weeks did not believe the flight's disappearance was an accident and said Malaysian authorities had "no proof" of what happened.

"I just feel it's another step in the Malaysian bag of tricks to push us to the side. The airline and Government just want to forget about it."

M'sian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his cousin Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein have drawn flak for mishanding the case and being late to respon. On the right is DCA chief Azharuddin Abdul Rahman.

Weeks had been supported financially by fundraising campaigns and donations and was living off savings, she said.

"The only thing that will let us out of this pain is having our loved ones back and being able to do the right thing for them – that's the only thing that will release us from this, not money."

Lazy way out: Lawsuits on the queue

Paul Weeks' sister, Sara Weeks, said Malaysia Airlines had not probed enough theories and conclusions to search for the flight.

"I don't know how you can declare anything lost and over and done with until you've followed up every lead and possibility."

APPALLED: Danica Weeks with her sons at home in Perth.

There were families wanting to sue the airline over the "nightmare" but believed that declaring it an accident made it harder for them to prove otherwise, she said.

Malaysia Airlines said it was ready to proceed immediately with a process that will see "fair and reasonable" compensation paid to relatives "in accordance with applicable laws".

The Boeing 777 aircraft disappeared over the South China Sea in the early hours of March 8 last year after taking off from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, bound for Beijing, prompting dozens of wild theories about what happened to it.

A search of the area where the plane is believed to have crashed into the ocean after running out of fuel has covered 18,600 square kilometres. - stuff.co.nz