Australia, Malaysia and China said the decision was taken with "sadness" after a fruitless search in more than 120,000 square kilometres of the Indian Ocean.
The search for the Malaysian airliner that disappeared almost three years ago with 239 on board has been suspended immediately.
Australia, Malaysia and China said the decision was taken with "sadness" after a fruitless search in more than 120,000 square kilometres of the Indian Ocean.
"Despite every effort using the best science available, cutting edge technology, as well as modelling and advice from highly skilled professionals who are the best in their field, unfortunately, the search has not been able to locate the aircraft," the three governments, who have coordinated the search, said in a joint statement.
Families of the victims called it an "irresponsible" move that must be reconsidered, the BBC reported.
Flight MH370 vanished en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur in 2014.
So far only seven of the 20 pieces of recovered debris have been identified as definitely or highly likely to be from the Boeing 777.