The International Airport of Dunedinalso known as Momona Airport, is not the largest in New Zealand (that honor goes to Auckland International Airport), but for a few days it may be the one that generates the most comments on social networks. The reason? That sign that you see in the photograph and that imposes a three-minute limit for hugs in the departure area, where travelers say goodbye to their families. And then he adds: “For more fond farewells, use the parking lot.”
Dunedin is on the South Island of New Zealand (Auckland is on the North Island), and its airport serves the needs of Otago and Southland regionsand the city of Dunedin itself, which has about 126,000 inhabitants.
The CEO of Dunedin Airport, Daniel Bonogave his opinion on the subject in an interview with New Zealand radio RNZ. He described airports as “hotbeds of emotions,” then pointed to a study that suggests a 20-second hug is enough to generate a release of oxytocinthe “love hormone,” and argued that if customers move quickly, more people will receive more hugs.
«The maximum hug time is three minutes. For more fond farewells, please use the parking lot,” reads a sign in the arrivals area, recently renovated to help speed up the process. «It’s hard to say goodbye, so do it quickly. Three minutes maximum,” says another sign.
A local newspaper (Stuff) joked these days: “The previous signs were not so funny, they reminded drivers that cars left unattended risked being immobilized and having to pay a $70 fine.”
On Instagram you could read this other comment: “That shouldn’t be allowed, people need time to say goodbye, some people may just need a ‘high five’, but others need time, not 3 minutes, it should be at least 5 minutes».
On Facebook, one sees airport farewells as a business idea: ten minutes of farewell, free. Then twenty dollars could be charged.
The airport announced on September 26 the relocation of the area where travelers can get out of their family’s cars or taxis with the aim of improve traffic flow and safety in the terminal. “By moving it, we reduce congestion and facilitate the safe disembarkation of passengers,” the presentation said.
The measurement coincides with the return of international flightsafter four years of absence. Jetstar will operate three departures and three arrivals per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting Tuesday, June 24, 2025, bound for Gold CoastAustralia.
#Maximum #time #hugs #airport #minutes #longer #parking #lot
