>>the hope among some staff at Cologne is that they will be able to price this unwanted overseas competition out of the European flight training market.<<
Do you mean through regulation, i.e. high cost for meeting EASA standards in overseas organisations, or lowered costs in Europe for flight training?
I would presume the first alternative in which case I think they can shove it !
Wouldn't it be nice if aviation could be reasonable in cost instead of totally outrageous?
I'm about ready to call it a day....