This airport has only 3-minute limit on farewell hugs to prevent congestion

PTC Web Desk: Airports are often the backdrop for emotional reunions and farewells, but a new policy at New Zealand's Dunedin Airport is putting a time limit on those sentimental moments. The airport, located in the South Island, has implemented a rule that restricts the duration of hugs and cuddles to three minutes in its drop-off zone. A sign at the location reads, “Max hug time 3 minutes. For fonder farewells please use the car park.”

According to the airport, this time restriction is aimed at maintaining a smooth flow of passengers and avoiding congestion in the terminal area. However, many travellers feel the policy is unnecessarily strict and overlooks the emotional weight of saying goodbye, particularly for those facing long separations from loved ones.

The new rule has sparked a flurry of reactions on social media. One user on X, Alan C, expressed, "there is no time limit on human emotions," while another questioned, "Isn't it inhuman?" Others were curious about how the rule would be enforced in practice.

Defending the policy amid criticism, Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono referenced a study that suggests a 20-second hug releases oxytocin, the “love hormone.” He argued that the rule helps maintain efficiency by allowing more passengers to share hugs without causing delays. The CEO also noted that some travellers have used the drop-off area for impromptu romantic moments.