Inhumane: New Zealand airport slammed over 3-minute time limit for farewell hugs

Hugging your loved ones could get you in trouble at a New Zealand airport, where a time limit has been imposed on emotional farewells.

In Short

• Airport says policy aims to prevent terminal congestion
• Travellers find the rule restrictive and insensitive
• Airport CEO says 20-second hug is enough to get burst of 'love hormone'

Airports often witness scenes of emotional moments as people welcome and bid farewell to their loved ones. But a longer hug can land you in trouble at a New Zealand airport as it has imposed a time limit on hugs and cuddles.

The new policy implemented by an international airport in Dunedin in the South Island limited the hugging time to three minutes. A sign erected in the airport’s drop-off zone said, “Max hug time 3 minutes. For fonder farewells please use the car park”.

The airports' justification for the time limit is to ensure the smooth flow of passengers through the terminal and to prevent congestion. However, many travellers argue that the policy is overly restrictive and disregards the emotional significance of farewells, especially for those who may be embarking on long journeys or saying goodbye to loved ones for extended periods.

Social media was abuzz with reactions to the policy, with many questioning the move.

One of the users on X, Alan C, wrote, "there is no time limit on human emotions". Another user asked, "Isn't int inhuman?". While some others asked how the authorities are going to enforce this rule.

Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono, who spoke to CNN amid the criticism, defended the move by pointing out a study suggesting a 20-second hug is enough to get a burst of the “love hormone” oxytocin. He said that moving customers along quickly allows more people to get more hugs. The CEO also added that travellers have occasionally used the drop-off zone for last-minute romantic encounters.