An airport in New Zealand has restricted farewells in its drop-off area to a maximum duration of three minutes, advising those wishing for a lengthier parting to proceed to the parking lot.
Dunedin International Airport, situated on New Zealand’s South Island, implemented this rule modification last month as part of a larger initiative to enhance safety and maintain the flow of traffic in the area, as reported by local news outlets.
New signage has been installed to notify individuals bidding farewell to their family members that the updated policy is “Max hug time three minutes” or “It’s challenging to say goodbye, so make it swift. 3 minutes max.”
The new messaging replaced earlier signs which solely reminded motorists that cars left unattended faced the risk of being clamped and incurring a charge of NZ$70, Stuff reported.
Dunedin Airport’s Chief Executive Officer, Daniel De Bono, shared with Radio New Zealand (RNZ) that airports are “hotbeds of emotion” and referenced a study indicating that a 20-second embrace is sufficient to stimulate the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone.”
He expressed that facilitating quicker exits for passengers would enable a greater number of people to enjoy more hugs.
Mr. De Bono also remarked that the impetus behind the hug limitation is that “our team has observed intriguing occurrences over the years.”
One particular sign reads that those seeking “more heartfelt farewells” should make their way to the parking area, where a complimentary 15-minute stop is permitted.
Dunedin Airport. Pic: Google
Mr. De Bono conveyed to RNZ their aim was to add a touch of humor to the announcement, stating it has “sparked quite a stir” and initiated numerous discussions.
The reaction on social media has varied.
One individual labeled it “inhumane,” while another characterized it as “the most nanny-state thing I’ve encountered.”
A third user pondered if airport authorities would be “hiring individuals to time affectionate families to regulate when it’s adequate love?”
Conversely, another questioned, “isn’t three minutes sufficient to hug someone?”
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Dunedin is one of the world’s most southerly cities. Pic: iStock
Dunedin, located in the southeastern region of the island, ranks among the most southerly cities globally, boasting a population of 134,600 in 2023.
According to its annual report, a little over 900,000 passengers utilized its airport during 2024.
More than one-third of significant UK airports increased their drop-off fees in the previous year, as per the RAC.
