Newzeeland’s Dunedin Airport has introduced an unusual new rule to manage traffic, limiting the length of goodbye hugs at its drop-off zone.
Dunedin Airport is putting a time limit on emotional farewells, requiring travelers to keep goodbye hugs to three minutes or less. This new rule is designed to reduce traffic congestion in the airport’s drop-off zone, with signs reading, “Max hug time three minutes.”
Dan De Bono, CEO of Dunedin Airport, said the change, introduced in September, aims to streamline the area and avoid delays caused by lengthy goodbyes. “It’s a reminder that this zone is for quick farewells,” De Bono told the Associated Press.
The rule has sparked varied reactions on social media, with some criticizing it as overly restrictive while others appreciate its effort to ease traffic flow. Unlike airports that impose fines or wheel clamping, Dunedin’s approach is seen as lighthearted and less punitive.
De Bono clarified that there will be no strict enforcement. “We don’t have hug police,” he joked, but passengers lingering too long may be directed to the parking lot, where they can hug for up to 15 minutes for free.
Although the rule might seem limiting, De Bono pointed out that even a 20-second hug releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin and serotonin, and anything longer could become “really awkward.”