In the face of public service strikes, the head of the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Achim Wambach, is calling for more competition in the rail and airport sectors.
According to Wambach, in an interview with the “Rheinische Post” (Friday edition), strikes in the infrastructure particularly affect consumers, as often there are no or hardly any alternative options available. “That is why it makes sense to open up the area of infrastructure that can be provided through competition to this” he said.
Wambach further stated that the Monopolies Commission has been recommending the separation of rail and operations at Deutsche Bahn for a long time, in order to enable more competition in the rail traffic. “Competition in ground handling services at airports is also expandable – often these are provided by the airport operator or its subsidiary” he added.