The acquisition of any lands for the purpose of establishing airports or other air navigation facilities; the acquisition of any airport protection privileges; the acquisition, establishment, construction, enlargement, improvement, maintenance, equipment and operation of airports and other air navigation facilities, whether by the State separately or jointly with any political subdivision or subdivisions; the assistance of this State in any such acquisition, establishment, construction, enlargement, improvement, maintenance, equipment and operation; and the exercise of any other powers herein granted to the Department are public and governmental functions, exercised for a public purpose, and matters of public necessity, and such lands and other property and privileges acquired and used by the State in the manner and for the purposes enumerated in this chapter shall and are to be acquired and used for public and governmental purposes and as a matter of public necessity.