At Dunedin Airport in New Zealand, a new policy has been implemented in September that limits farewell hugs to just three minutes. This initiative aims to improve traffic flow in the airport’s drop-off zones, and reactions from the public have been mixed.

According to the Associated Press, a sign posted outside the terminal warns, “Hugs limited to 3 minutes.” It advises those wishing for a more heartfelt goodbye to move to the parking lot instead.

Dan De Bono, the airport’s CEO, explained that this time restriction was introduced to streamline the passenger drop-off area, emphasizing that this zone is intended for quick farewells only.

The policy has provoked diverse responses on social media. De Bono noted, “Some believe we are violating basic human rights by limiting hug time,” while others appreciate the measure.

The intention behind this new rule is to replace more stringent enforcement seen at other airports, such as wheel locking or ticketing vehicles in passenger pick-up areas. In the UK, some locations have charged fees for all drop-off zones.

“We prefer an alternative approach here at Dunedin Airport,” De Bono said, referring to Dunedin, located on New Zealand’s South Island with a population of approximately 135,000.

He stated that three minutes is more than enough for a quick goodbye, saying, “This time limit is a good way to remind everyone to keep moving forward.” De Bono also mentioned that a hug lasting about 20 seconds can release so-called ‘happy hormones’ like oxytocin and serotonin, adding that anything longer could lead to an awkward situation.

Passengers need not worry too much about enforcement, as De Bono confirmed, “We don’t have hug police here.” However, visitors may be asked to move to the parking lot if they wish to extend their embraces, with the first 15 minutes of parking being free of charge.