The public will get their first chance to quiz an American company which wants to reopen Manston airport at a series of consultation events later this month.

RiverOak said it will reveal more details about its proposals to run freight operations from the site, which closed in 2014 after wracking up losses of £100 million over 16 years of private ownership.

The firm, which Thanet council rejected as a potential indemnity partner to take control of the airfield, has also submitted a 216-page scoping report to the Planning Inspectorate as part of its proposals to take control of the airport land using a development consent order (DCO).

It predicts the airport could handle between 500,000 and 600,000 tonnes of air freight by 2035, equating to 10,000 to 20,000 air traffic movements a year.

The DCO process is reserved for nationally significant infrastructure projects and gives applicants the right to take control of sites using compulsory purchase orders where necessary.

The same method is being used by the developers of Paramount resort between Gravesend and Dartford.

There will be six informal public exhibitions of RiverOak’s takeover plans, ahead of more formal consultations later in the year.

They will take place on:

• Tuesday, July 12, at Broadstairs Pavilion, Harbour Street from 2pm to 8pm
• Wednesday, July 13, at Sands Hotel, Marine Drive, Margate from 2pm to 8pm
• Monday, July 18, at The King’s Hall, Beacon Hill, Herne Bay from 2pm to 8pm
• Thursday, July 21, at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, The Precincts from 2pm to 8pm
• Friday, July 22, at The Guildhall, Sandwich from 2pm to 8pm
• Saturday, July 23, The Comfort Inn, Victoria Parade, Ramsgate from 10am to 4pm.

Multinational engineering consultancy Amec Foster Wheeler compiled the scoping report for RiverOak, which outlines how it will bring the 2,748m runway back into use.

It says the existing cargo facilities located in the north east of the site will be relocated if a DCO is approved, with new airside cargo facilities, car park and storage areas constructed to the north of the new cargo aprons with direct access onto a new aircraft apron area.

Although the focus of Manston airport would be air freight and cargo operations, facilities for “limited passenger services” would remain, as well as for maintenance repair and overhaul.

The passenger facilities will use the existing terminal and passenger apron, with sufficient space for up to four additional aircraft stands if required.

It said returning the airport back to operational use would take six to 12 months, once a DCO has been approved.

Last month, the owners of the ex-airport submitted an outline planning application for 2,500 homes and commercial space on the site, now dubbed Stone Hill Park.