New Zealand airports set time limits for hugs
Put someone on a flight at Dunedin Airport in New Zealand? Officials want you to be quick about it.
The airport attracts attention with a series of new restriction signs hugs in the drop zone for up to three minutes. It suggests that if you can’t arrange your farewell in that truncated period, head to the garage. “Maximum hug time is 3 minutes,” the sign said. “To say goodbye please use the car park.”
Dunedin airport pic.twitter.com/DxR4DmbhRM
– Em (@dresdendoll) October 21, 2024
If that sounds a little ironic, it’s intentional. The CEO of Dunedin Airport (who admits to being a hugger) told Radio New Zealand the plan was to have a little parting fun airport congestioninstead of actively approaching the problem.
“We’re trying to have fun with it,” Dan De Bono told the station. “It’s an airport and those drop-off locations are common locations for farewells. … We caused a stir.”
While laughing at the idea of “hug the police,” De Bono said enforcement won’t be particularly strict — but those whose goodbyes last too long will be politely asked to leave.
“We’re not here to tell people how long they should hug, it’s a message to move on and give space to others,” he said.
The sign may be strange but it’s not as unique as you might imagine. Aalborg Airport, Denmark, also requires passengers to say goodbye within three minutes, with a sign reading “Kiss and goodbye. Don’t kiss for more than 3 minutes!
Kiss and goodbye… Photography by LPHogan, Photo taken at Aalborg Airport, Denmark. pic.twitter.com/5X7lW9tIq5
– Igor (@dunnothevitch) July 2, 2019
However, no airport is known to impose time limits on warm handshakes or high-fives. Not yet.
