NEW YORK (AP) — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has been approved to take over operations of the Atlantic City International Airport.

Bill Baroni, the authority’s deputy executive director, says Gov. Chris Christie approved the plan Wednesday.

The Port Authority, which operates three major New York area airports — Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark — had announced in September that it would study taking over operation of the airport with the aim of reducing air traffic congestion in the region.

The Port Authority also operates Teterboro Airport in New Jersey and Stewart Airport in New York.

Legislation enacted in 2007 allowed the authority to establish an airport outside its jurisdiction in New York and New Jersey.

Atlantic City airport served 1.4 million passengers in 2012 but has capacity to handle more.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)