Flixtrain denounces Italo’s alleged special treatment in German rail market
Flixtrain CEO André Schwämmlein said the company backs “healthy competition” and criticised Italian operator Italo’s plan to launch long‑distance services in Germany from 2028. Schwämmlein claimed Italo is seeking exclusive advantages in track allocation, a “special treatment” that the Federal Network Agency has partly granted. Flixtrain, which ordered 65 new trains for €2.4 billion in May 2025, is expanding its network to cover major German metros such as Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin and says the addition of a third operator – alongside Deutsche Bahn and Italo – will not overload the rail system. Deutsche Bahn is currently investing heavily in infrastructure to increase capacity. Italo, meanwhile, announced a €3.6 billion investment, 26 new trains and the creation of about 2,500 jobs for its German entry.
Entities: André Schwämmlein · Bundesnetzagentur · Deutsche Bahn · Federal Network Agency · Flixtrain · Italo
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Federal Network Agency partially accepted Italo’s requests for special treatment. (Regulatory response to Italo’s request)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Flixtrain ordered 65 new trains in May 2025 for €2.4 billion. (Flixtrain’s fleet expansion plan)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Flixtrain believes the rail network will not be overloaded by the three operators Deutsche Bahn, Flixtrain and Italo. (Flixtrain’s assessment of network capacity)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Italo sought special treatment that would give it exclusive advantages in track allocation. (Flixtrain’s criticism of Italo’s request)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Deutsche Bahn is currently investing heavily in infrastructure to accommodate additional operators. (Deutsche Bahn’s infrastructure investment claim)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Flixtrain CEO André Schwämmlein said “We are for healthy competition”. (Flixtrain criticism of Italo’s special treatment)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Italo plans to start long‑distance services in Germany from 2028. (Italo announcement of German expansion)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Italo’s German expansion will involve a €3.6 billion investment, 26 new trains and about 2,500 jobs. (Italo’s announced investment figures)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Deutsche Bahn is currently investing heavily in rail infrastructure to increase capacity. (Flixtrain CEO André Schwämmlein)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Flixtrain says the combined operation of Deutsche Bahn, Flixtrain and Italo will not overload the German rail network. (Flixtrain CEO André Schwämmlein)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Italo plans a €3.6 billion investment, 26 new trains and about 2,500 jobs for its German expansion. (Italo announcement)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Flixtrain plans routes from Munich to Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin as part of its expansion. (Flixtrain CEO André Schwämmlein)