(a) The Department may, on behalf of and in the name of this State, within the limitation of available appropriations, acquire by purchase, gift, devise, lease, condemnation proceedings, or otherwise, property real or personal, for the purpose of establishing and constructing airports, restricted landing areas, and other air navigation facilities, and acquire in like manner, own, control, establish, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate, regulate, and police such airports, restricted landing areas, and other air navigation facilities, either within or without this State. It may make, prior to any such acquisition, investigations, surveys, and plans; and may erect, install, construct, and maintain at such airports facilities for the servicing of aircraft and for the comfort and accommodation of air travelers, and may dispose of any such property, airport, restricted landing area, or any other air navigation facility, by sale, lease, or otherwise, in accordance with the laws of this State governing the disposition of other like property of the State.
(b) The Department shall not, however, acquire or take over any airport, restricted landing area or other air navigation facility owned or controlled by a political subdivision without the consent of such political subdivision.
(c) The Department may erect, equip, operate, and maintain on any airport buildings and equipment necessary and proper to establish, maintain, and conduct such airport and air navigation facilities connected therewith.