Flixtrain has criticized the Italian operator Italo for pursuing what it views as “special treatment.” Despite the Italian company’s plans, the private Munich-based rail operator states that its own growth strategy remains secure, and it is actively planning further expansion.
André Schwämmlein, head of Flix SE, told the “Spiegel” that they are committed to healthy competition. He explained that Flixtrain deliberately adopted a strategy focused on supplementing the Deutsche Bahn’s offerings with more affordable tickets. Schwämmlein added that should Italo introduce a similar low-cost model to the market, Flixtrain would “welcome this form of competition.”
Italo had previously announced in April its intention to offer long-distance rail services in Germany starting in 2028, contingent upon new regulatory conditions. Schwämmlein strongly objected to this approach, asserting that Italo was seeking comprehensive special treatment that would grant the company exclusive advantages in route allocation. While the Federal Network Agency partially addressed these demands, Schwämmlein commented on the agency’s decisions, saying, “We now have a time- and location-restricted regulation for all competitors, from which we, thanks to our experience with Flixtrain, are especially likely to benefit.”
Regarding its own growth, Flixtrain ordered 65 new trains in May 2025, valued at 2.4 billion Euros. Schwämmlein confirmed these locomotives will be used to connect all major urban centers. He announced that trains departing from the Flix corporate headquarters in Munich-an area not yet integrated into the Flixtrain network-will head towards cities such as Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Berlin.
Schwämmlein dismissed any danger of capacity overload on the rail network by the three operators-Deutsche Bahn, Flixtrain, and Italo. He pointed out that Deutsche Bahn is currently investing heavily in infrastructure, which should improve the situation. Furthermore, the efficiency of network usage hinges on “whether the participants are cooperative in their planning, rather than working to displace each other.” He projected that significant progress in the rail sector would become apparent around 2028 or 2029.
Finally, Schwämmlein hinted that Flixtrain intends to expand beyond Germany’s borders. While the initial goal is establishing a comprehensive network across Germany, the company’s ambition is boundless. He concluded that Flixtrain will continue ordering and deploying trains internationally.
