New Zealand airport sets time limit on hugs for people dropping off travellers

An airport in New Zealand has sparked outrage after introducing a three-minute limit on hugs in its drop-off zone.

Photos of the sign, which is part of the airport’s efforts to deal with the congestion and improve traffic flow and safety, has infuriated — and entertained — social media users.

“For fonder farewells, please use the car park,” added the airport directive.

“You can’t put a time limit on hugs!,” one person responded on social media. “That’s inhumane.”

Another added: “Tyranny should be responded to with united disobedience. Government, and corporations need to be reminded that this is our world and not theirs. They don’t own us or it.”

One commenter joked, “That’s generous. A hug only takes 10 seconds. And a quickie in the carpark can be done in under 3 min too.”

Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono told New Zealand’s RNZ radio the new rule was needed because of  space considerations.

“There’s only so much space we have in that drop-off area, and too many people are spending too much time on their fonder farewells in the drop-off area. There’s no space for others.”

De Bono noted a study suggests 20 seconds is just the right amount of time to get an oxytocin and serotonin release from a hug.

He added that “anything longer maybe gets into the awkward territory,” and confirmed that there are no hug police.

“We’re not here to tell people how long they should hug for. It’s more a message of, ‘Please move onwards,’” he said.

“If you’re going to spend however long, sit in the car park. You get 15 minutes free, and it provides space for others who only want a 20-second hug.”