Airbus's chief will step down after his current term expires in 2019, and his heir apparent has said he will quit early next year as the aerospace giant faces an international investigation into corruption allegations. In a move aimed at ensuring an "orderly transition", Tom Enders, chief executive, said that he would not seek another term when his current stint as head of the company ends in 2019. His second in command, chief operating officer Fabrice Bregier, has said he will step down in February and does not want to be considered for the top job. According to reports in the French media, Mr Bregier failed to win the backing of the board when it met earlier this week amid long-running talk of a power struggle within the company. Airbus said Guillaume Faury, head of the company's helicopter business, will replace Mr Bregier as president of commercial aircraft. The appointment could make him a frontrunner to succeed Mr Enders when he departs.