KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 -- Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, chief executive officer of Malaysia Airlines, said here Tuesday that families would be brought to the recovery areas if they so wished, after the company received approval from the investigating authorities.

"Until that time, we will continue to support the ongoing investigation," he said.

He said the company's overwhelming focus would still be to provide the families with a comprehensive support program.

He said an initial financial assistance of 5,000 U.S. dollars per passenger has been provided, and they were preparing to offer additional payments as the search continued.

Md Nor Md Yusof, chairman of Malaysia Airlines, also said they would continue to support the families and to support the authorities as the search for definitive answers continued.