Indian Ocean

Investigators have been examining the wing part, called a flaperon, since it was flown to a French aeronautical research laboratory near Toulouse last month. 

Malaysian authorities had already declared that the wing fragment was from the missing jet, but until now French investigators couldn't say with certitude that it was the case.

It is a solid clue to one of aviation's most perplexing and expensive mysteries.

Malaysia's prime minister said Thursday the debris found on the French island of Reunion will be sent for investigation to the French city of Toulouse, the center for European aviation.

This was revealed by a U.S. official on Wednesday.

Air safety investigators — one of them a Boeing investigator — have identified the component as a "flaperon" from the trailing edge of a 777 wing, the U.S. official said.