Transportation Code §22.020

(a) A local government, by contract, lease, or other arrangement, on a consideration fixed by the local government and for a term not to exceed 50 years, may authorize a qualified person to operate, as the agent of the local government or otherwise, an airport owned or controlled by the local government. (b) A local government may not authorize a person to: (1) operate the airport except as a public airport; or (2) enter into a contract, lease, or other agreement in connection with the operation of the airport that the local government may not have made under Section 22.021 . (c) An arrangement made under this section must be made subject to the terms of a grant, loan, or agreement under Section 22.055 .