A New Zealand airport has sparked debate with its new policy aimed at reducing long departures at the drop-off area. A recently installed sign at Dunedin Airport, located in Momona, instructs visitors to limit their goodbyes to just three minutes.
The gesture, which has gone viral on social media, has drawn sharp criticism from some users who consider the time limit “inhumane”. However, others have praised it, with some suggesting that similar measures should be adopted at other airports. Some users on the viral Facebook post expressed outrage at the ban on hugging, while others were surprised that, given the rising fees and penalties, the airport still offers a free drop-off area.
Dunedin Airport’s CEO, Daniel De Bono, addressed the issue in an interview with New Zealand’s RNZ Radio. He described airports as “emotional hotspots” and cited a study showing that a 20-second hug is enough to trigger the secretion of the “love hormone,” oxytocin. He argued that keeping the farewell brief gives more people a chance to hug.
The airport car park, where Mr Bono acknowledged that “our team has seen interesting things happen over the last few years”, offers 15 minutes of free parking for those who need a little more time to say goodbye . For those who need more time, the airport advises to use the car park.
Commenting on changing the drop-off zone, Mr Bono said, “We have moved the drop-off zone to improve traffic flow and safety around the terminal. By moving it, we reduce congestion And make it easier to disembark passengers safely.”
Daniel De Bono addressed concerns about the drop-off zone being too far from check-in, explaining that the distance from the current drop-off area to the main terminal entrance is between 62 and 94 metres. He compared this to previous temporary drop-off lanes, which ranged from 50 to 168 metres, stating that the current location is 74 meters closer on average. He also noted that there is a covered walkway from the new drop-off area to the terminal, keeping passengers “safe from the elements.”
