Dunedin, New Zealand, October 22, 2024 — Travelers departing from Dunedin Airport will need to be quick with their farewells, as a new three-minute time limit on goodbye hugs has been introduced to prevent traffic congestion in the drop-off area. Signs outside the terminal now read, “Max hug time three minutes,” urging those desiring “fonder farewells” to move to the airport’s parking lot instead.
The hug time restriction, implemented in September, aims to “keep things moving smoothly” in the redesigned passenger drop-off zone, according to CEO Daniel De Bono. In a written statement to The Associated Press, he explained that the initiative serves as a reminder that the area is designated for “quick farewells” only.
“It’s caused quite a stir,” De Bono remarked on Radio New Zealand Monday. “People are saying, ‘You can’t tell us how long we can have a hug for.’” The signs were created as a more lighthearted alternative to the stern warnings seen at other airports, which often threaten wheel clamping or fines for vehicles parked in drop-off zones. Some airports in Britain have even imposed fees for brief drop-offs.
Dunedin Airport, serving a city of 135,000 people on New Zealand’s South Island, has opted for a “quirky” solution, De Bono noted. “It’s really about enabling the space for others to also have hugs,” he explained. “Too many people are spending too much time with their fonder farewells in the drop-off zone.”
De Bono added that a hug lasting about 20 seconds is sufficient to release the wellbeing hormones oxytocin and serotonin, but anything longer can feel “a bit awkward.” He reassured travelers that enforcement would not be stringent, saying, “We’re not going to call the hug police.”
However, those who wish to extend their embraces can move to the parking lot, where they can enjoy up to 15 minutes of cuddle time at no charge.
