Private investment group Reggeborgh and Belgian airport operator Aviapartner have been given a 49-year concession to operate the former military airport near Enschede.

Reggeborgh is the investment house of Dik Wessels, a majority shareholder in construction giant Volker Wessels.

The airport, which will also receive €10m in government funding, will open for civilian flights in 2016. The consortium expects it will generate up to 2,480 jobs for the region.