‘Max Hug Time 3 Minutes’: New Zealand Airport’s Signage Capping Farewell Cuddles Sparks Debate

Prolonged farewells at a New Zealand airport could soon lead to staff asking to take your farewell gesture to the parking lot in case your hugs extend for too long.

The Dunedin International Airport in the island-nation’s South Island introduced a three minute cap on cuddles. Airport authorities told news agency RNZ that the signage was put up to enhance safety and maintain smooth traffic flow at airport drop-off zones.

“Max hug time (is) 3 minutes. For fonder farewells please use the car park,” the signage warns.

Dunedin Airport chief executive Dan De Bono however told New Zealand broadcaster Radio New Zealand (RNZ) that they wanted to have fun with the signage.

He said the airport wanted to avoid warning messages at the airport’s drop-off zones which can be ‘quite intense’, with some even threatening wheel clamping or fines.

“We’re trying to have fun with it. It is an airport and those drop off locations are common locations for farewells,” De Bono was quoted as saying by the RNZ.

He pointed out that too many people are taking too much time in the drop-off zone.

“There’s no space left for others. It’s about enabling others to have hugs,” he said. He also highlighted that some used the area to engage in ‘last-minute amorous acts’.

“Airports are hotbeds of emotion … our staff have seen some interesting things over the years,” he further added.

De Bono said that there will be no ‘hug police’ patrolling the airport premises but airport staff may politely ask those who linger for too long to move into the car park, adding that new signage has ‘caused quite a stir’. “We’re not here to tell people how long they should hug for, it’s more the message of please move on and provide space for others,” he added.

Critics on a widely viewed Facebook post, which has garnered tens of thousands of comments, have challenged the airport’s stance on limiting the duration of farewells. One user labelled the rule as “inhumane,” arguing that the airport shouldn’t control how long people are allowed to hug.

Some praised the airport’s approach, especially when many airports globally are introducing drop-off fees.