Dunedin Airport in New Zealand has sparked controversy for limiting passenger hug time to three minutes.
According to reports from U.S. media outlets, including CNN and the New York Post, Dunedin Airport installed a sign in the passenger drop-off area maximizing the hug time to three minutes, stating to use the car park for “fonder farewells.”
Dunedin Airport allows vehicles to visit the airport for drop-offs and park for free for 15 minutes.
Daniel de Bono, the chief executive of Dunedin Airport, explained in an interview with New Zealand’s RNZ Radio that “people spend too much time with their fonder farewells in the drop-off zone, leaving no space for others.” He added, “Even a 20-second hug is enough to release the love hormone oxytocin. By moving customers along quickly, more people would be able to share hugs.”
After the sign gained attention online, some commenters expressed outrage, arguing that limiting farewell time is inhumane.
