A New Zealand airport faces backlash after implementing a policy limiting farewell times to three minutes. The move is aimed at addressing operational issues caused by prolonged goodbyes.
CNN and other news outlets reported that Dunedin Airport installed a sign in the drop-off area that read
“Max hug time 3 minutes. For fonder farewells please use the car park.”
Airport officials explained that this policy reduces traffic congestion caused by lengthy farewells. Although the airport offers 15 minutes of free parking in the drop-off zone, many passengers exceed that time, leading to frequent traffic bottlenecks and flight delays.
In an interview with New Zealand’s RNZ Radio, Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono noted that a 20-second hug is enough to release oxytocin, the so-called “love hormone.” He added, “If passengers move quickly, more people can hug and say goodbye.”
The policy has received mixed reactions online. Some critics called it inhumane to limit farewells, while others understood the airport’s effort to minimize congestion and prevent costly flight delays.
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