 The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey ( PANYNJ ) is a joint venture between the U.S. states of New York and New Jersey , established in 1921 through an interstate compact authorized by the United States Congress . The Port Authority oversees much of the regional transportation infrastructure , including bridges , tunnels , airports , and seaports , within the New York metropolitan area . It is also a major real estate owner in the region, with over 6 million square feet (560,000 m 2 ) of property in its portfolio.
The Port Authority is governed by a 13-member Board of Commissioners,