KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 -- Malaysian Airlines on Sunday promised to provide families of the passengers onboard the missing flight MH370 with timely information, travel facilities, accommodation and emotional support and asked for their patience and support.

Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, CEO of the airlines, said in the latest press conference Sunday afternoon that the company understands the need to provide regular updates on the progress of the search and rescue operations.

"As the hours turn into days, we at Malaysia Airlines are similarly anxious and we appreciate the patience, support and prayers from everyone."

As the families of those onboard the ill-fated flight are the most affected group in the incident, he said the company regards taking care of them as its primary focus at present, with initial financial assistance given out to all families and care givers assigned to each family.

The airlines offered free flight from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur to family members of the MH370 passengers in Beijing who wish to make the trip. It is also communicating with families from other nations for similar travel arrangement to Kuala Lumpur, he said.

When flight MH370 is located, a Response Control Center in the area will be activated to support the needs of families, the airlines chief added.

A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew went missing in area near the South China Sea on Saturday as it flew from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

The plane's disappearance triggered a search effort involving vessels and aircraft from several nations in the South China Sea.