Dunedin Airport in New Zealand has limited goodbye hugs in the passenger pick-up area to three minutes, causing controversy.
A recent photo taken at Dunedin Airport has attracted attention with the caption "Hugging time is limited to three minutes, if you want a more affectionate goodbye, please use the car park".
Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono spoke on the subject in late September, describing airports as “emotional hotbeds.” He cited research that found a 20-second hug is enough to produce the “love hormone” oxytocin, a chemical in the body that creates feelings of closeness and connection. So moving quickly will mean more hugs for others.
Some people said the hug time limit was "absurd". However, many also agreed, saying that stopping in the pick-up area for too long could result in a fine at some airports.
Before Dunedin, many airports also had rules for goodbye hugs. Nice Airport in France set up a "Kiss and Fly" area, reserved for passengers who came to see off their loved ones and did not need to get out of the car. They just needed a hug or kiss goodbye and then left quickly, reducing congestion and keeping traffic moving. "Kiss and Fly" areas are also available at many airports around the world, some places like Lisbon Airport in Portugal offer free stops of up to 10 minutes.
However, since last summer, more than 30% of major UK airports have increased their “Kiss and Fly” charges. Southampton, for example, increased its charge from $4 to $7 for a 20-minute stop; Belfast increased it from $1 to nearly $4 for a 10-minute stop. Major airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick charge more than $6 for picking up and dropping off passengers near the terminal.
TH (according to VnExpress)