Section 21638 Of Article 2. State Airports And Air Navigation Facilities From California Public Utilities Code >> Division 9. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 2.

. The department shall call for bids for the operation of any state-owned airport and shall lease the airport for a term not to exceed five years to the highest qualified bidder or bidders. No person shall be granted any authority to operate the airport other than as a public airport or to enter into any contracts, leases, or other arrangements in connection with the operation of the airport which the department might not have undertaken under Section 21637. The state may operate an airport only if no acceptable bid is received.