A Facebook post with a photo of the "Max hug time 3 minutes" sign at Dunedin Airport in New Zealand has gathererd more than 58,000 likes and around 1500 comments.
Dunedin Airport (DUD/NZDN) has made some news by introducing a starange rule for their drop-off zone, capping 'hug time' at three minutes.
The rule came into action following the relocation of the airport’s drop-off zone to enhance safety and improve traffic flow around the terminal. This new area is, on average, 74 metres closer to the main terminal entrance than the previous location.
The sign, that have gone viral on social media, specify "max hug time 3 minutes" at the New Zealand airport and direct those looking for "fonder farewells" to use the carpark.
Speaking to RNZ earlier this month, Dunedin Airport chief executive Dan De Bono said the signs were used because the airport's management was trying to have "fun" and avoid "intense" messaging that threatened people with fines or other punishment for congesting traffic.
Airports and emotional farewells go hand-in-hand, but one hub in New Zealand is cracking down on public displays of affection. The airport’s CEO says hugs lasting longer than three minutes are “really awkward”.
Travellers leaving the New Zealand city of Dunedin have been told there’s now a three-minute time limit on goodbye hugs in the airport's drop-off area, intended to prevent lingering cuddles from causing traffic jams.
Outside the terminal, signs read: “Max hug time three minutes,” adding that those seeking “fonder farewells” should head to the airport’s car park instead, where they’ll be given a generous 15 minutes to say goodbye to their loved ones.
As the sign boards went viral, CNN included it in its weekly travel newsletter under the headline "Catch flights, not feelings". The New York Post went with the "inhumane" angle, while the Times of India said the "quirky rule" had "sparked lively debate online".
Despite some criticism on social media, with people calling the move “inhumane”, the airport’s CEO is standing by his decision.
“We were accused of breaching basic human rights and how dare we limit how long someone can have a hug for," Dan De Bono told the Associated Press news agency, adding that others had welcomed the change.
De Bono explained that the restriction was put in place to “keep things moving smoothly” and is the airport’s way of reminding people that the zone was for “quick farewells” only.
"We've relocated the drop-off zone to improve traffic flow and safety around the terminal. By shifting it, we reduce congestion and make it easier for passengers to be dropped off safely."
Adding that moving passengers along quickly allows more people to get more hugs, he also cryptically told Radio New Zealand (RNZ) that "our team have seen interesting things go on... over the years".
These hug limiting signs are meant as a gentler alternative to those at other airports warning of wheel clamping or fines for drivers parked in drop-off areas.
Comparisions are being made with the UK, where they have imposed certain fees for drop-offs. Dunedin's airport, that serves a city of 135,000 people on New Zealand's South Island, prefers a “quirky” approach, De Bono said.
Three minutes was "plenty of time to pull up, say farewell to your loved ones and move on,” he added. “The time limit is really a nicer way of saying, you know, get on with it.”
A 20-second hug is long enough to release the wellbeing-boosting hormones oxytocin and serotonin, De Bono said. Anything longer was “really awkward.”
Daniel De Bono explained that the drop-off zone being too far from check-in, explaining that the distance from the current drop-off area to the main terminal entrance is between 62 and 94 metres.
He also compared the situation to the previous temporary drop-off lane, which ranged from 50 to 168 metres, stating that the current location is, on average, 74 metres closer. He mentioned that there is a covered walkway from the new drop-off area to the terminal, keeping passengers “protected from the elements.”
Despite the sweeping changes, the CEO assured passengers that they don’t need to worry unduly about enforcement:
“We do not have hug police”.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s media has been bemused by the worldwide attention the airport is attracting.
On Tuesday, Rova radio station published an article poking fun at news anchors mispronouncing the word ‘Dunedin’.
According to Daniel De Bono, Ultimately, it's less about enforcing a strict rule and meant to encourage that travelers be considerate of others.
"We’re not here to tell people how long they should hug for," he said. "It’s more the message of please move on and provide space for others."
Display Picture Source: Facebook / Richard Agar
