- Dunedin Airport now limits farewell hugs to three minutes to avoid traffic jams at the drop-off area.
- Officials say the policy aims to strike a balance between meaningful goodbyes and keeping airport operations running smoothly.
- The rule was introduced in September 2024.
Airports around the world have undergone plenty of transformations over the past few years, shifting from social distancing protocols to perplexing mask mandates. Now, Dunedin Airport in New Zealand has introduced a new rule for modern travel: a three-minute cap on farewell hugs in the airport’s drop-off area.
Why Has The Dunedin Airport Hug Limit Been Introduced?
Dunedin Airport, a cosy terminal serving the 135,000 residents of New Zealand’s South Island city, has posted signs outside the terminal to discourage lengthy goodbyes. “Max hug time three minutes. For fonder farewells please use the car park,” reads one sign, while another gently reminds visitors, “It’s hard to say goodbye so make it quick. 3 mins max.”
The September 2024 policy update aims to address the growing problem of traffic congestion caused by long, emotional farewells. Speaking with a local radio station, Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono shared a heartfelt view of airports as emotional crossroads.
“Our team has seen interesting things go on in the car park over many years,” he mused, adding, “It’s really about enabling enough space for others to also have hugs.”
Daniel De Bono
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De Bono referenced a study showing that even a 20-second embrace can trigger a release of well-being hormones like serotonin and oxytocin — often called the “love hormone” — providing a meaningful emotional boost. As for rule-breakers, the CEO was lighthearted: “We are not going to call the police — that would be bonkers.”
Reaction To Dunedin Airport Hug Ban
The internet predictably responded to the “cuddle curfew” with mixed opinions—some found it funny or practical, while others were outraged by the restriction on affectionate moments. “How much is the fine if I hug longer??” asked one Reddit user. Another joked, “Tell me more about these ‘fonder farewells’.”
Facebook users expressed similar sentiments, with one person writing, “You can’t put a time limit on hugs! That’s inhumane.” Meanwhile, a practical parent suggested, “OMG, school drop-off lines need a similar sign (Max hug time 10 sec).”
For Dunedin Airport, which handles over 900,000 passengers annually and serves as a gateway to southern New Zealand’s scenic destinations like Owaka, Curio Bay, and Bluff, the hug limit represents a careful balance between emotional connections and operational efficiency.
Whether other airports adopt this innovative approach to traffic management remains to be seen. But if you’re travelling through Dunedin, keep your hugs heartfelt but brief — three minutes might just fly by.
