Family of Australian couple lost in flight MH370 express heartbreak

The family members of an Australian couple on board the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 have spoken of their heartbreak after Malaysian officials announced the flight ended in the southern Indian Ocean with no survivors. [Special coverage]

Brisbane couple Rod and Mary Burrows were among the 239 people on board who were believed dead in the ocean, local media reported on Tuesday

They were on holiday with their friends when they boarded the MH370 flight.

The couple's son Jayden Burrows told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday that his parents worked hard to reap the rewards of their retirement so they could travel and spend time with friends and family.

"We dearly love and will miss our mum and dad," he said.

"The love and compassion that they shared and their priority of putting their family first will help us get through this together.

"We're heartbroken this stage for their life has been cut short. "

The couple had three children and were expecting their first grandchild in April, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

The search for wreckage off the coast of Western Australia has been suspended due to bad weather.

It will resume when weather conditions permit, the local authorities say.

On Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said his government had decided to waive visa fees for the relative of passengers on the ill-fated flight coming to Australia.