Any political subdivision or person planning to construct, establish, or expand an airport shall apply for the appropriate permit from the department prior to the construction, establishment or expansion. The application shall set forth the location of all highways, railways, wires, cables, poles, fences, schools, residential areas and places of public gathering, and any other information as may be required by the rules and regulations of the department. Whenever an airport owned or operated by the United States ceases to be so owned or operated, any political subdivision or person desiring or planning to own or operate the airport shall apply to the department in compliance with the provisions of this article. If the airport holds a permit issued by the department, the application shall be confined to consideration of the matters enumerated in subdivision (e) of Section 21666.