Whenever the Department determines that the public interest does not require the continued use of an airport, restricted landing area or other air navigation facility or real property acquired or set apart for public airport purposes, on behalf of the State, or that the same is no longer beneficial or useful to the public, or that the same may be more economically operated for the benefit and use of the public by any private party or by the United States, any agency or Department thereof, any state government other than the government of this State, or any municipality, or other political subdivision of this State, or of any other state, the Department may dispose of any such property, airports, restricted landing areas or other air navigation facilities, by sale, lease or otherwise, to the Federal Government, any agency or department thereof, or to any state government, or to any municipality or other political subdivision of this or any other State government, or to private persons, for aeronautical purposes or purposes incidental thereto, subject to the laws of this State governing the disposition of property of this State. Whenever the Department determines that the benefits to the public may be greater by so doing, it may lease, for a term not exceeding 10 years, any space, area, improvements, equipment, accommodations or facilities on such airports, restricted landing areas or other air navigation facility, and it may confer the privilege of concessions of supplying upon such airports; restricted landing areas, or other air navigation facilities goods, commodities, things, services and facilities; provided, that in each case under this section in so doing the public is not deprived of its rightful, fair, equal and uniform use thereof.