Enders on Wednesday defended the decision, saying it was about freeing his no.2 to focus on core operations.
The Airbus sales force has been urged not to dwell on the reorganization and to push back “aggressively” against Boeing which won the Paris Airshow for the first time in five years.
Sales chief John Leahy, who plans to retire this year, has also warned staff that Airbus faces a stronger and “much more aggressive” competitor, people familiar with the matter said.
Airbus took 248 orders between January and June, or 203 after cancellations.
As of June 27, Boeing had notched up 407 orders this year, or 361 after cancellations.
On Wednesday, China signed a deal to buy 140 Airbus jets.
Leahy, who will report to Enders for a few months before handing to his designated successor Kiran Rao, also delivered an internal tribute to Bregier, saying “he helped us win”.
Bregier, whose reign as head of the planemaking business has coincided with the sale of 5,800 jets, has urged staff to remain focused on customers and pledged to do the same in his new role.
