Thai Airways International (THAI) has opted not to postpone the delivery of a fleet of 12 A350-900s, after the military government’s State Enterprises Policy Commission had earlier advocated THAI delay the new aircraft over the next three years to relieve financial burdens weighing on the company’s turnaround plan.

Airline sources told The Bangkok Post that as per its original agreement with Airbus, THAI will receive its first two A350s over the coming months to be followed by five in 2017 and five in 2018. THAI plans to use the initial aircraft on its Bangkok-Melbourne route, starting from 1 July this year.

In a bid to ease its balance of payments, the airline announced in January that it had initiated talks with Airbus and Boeing over the possible deferral in aircraft deliveries (two B787-9s in Boeing’s case). But by March, Thai management indicated that no deals had yet been reached with either manufacturer.

The loss-ridden carrier has been undergoing a major restructuring that includes cutting unprofitable routes, retiring old aircraft, shedding its maindeck capacity, cutting staff and reducing debt. As part of this restructuring, THAI will see its intercontinental routes shrink dramatically as it focuses on the Asian region instead.