Airport sets 'max' time limit on goodbye hugs for travelers

An airport overseas is attempting to step up its efficiency by restricting emotional farewell embraces.

Dunedin Airport, in Momona, New Zealand, implemented a three-minute "max hug time" in September to "keep things moving smoothly," airport CEO Dan De Bono told the Associated Press (AP).

The airport's passenger drop-off area now has signs to remind travelers to have quicker farewells in an attempt to prevent traffic jams.

"Wow, the government just wants to control everything. Even our hugs," one user posted on X.

De Bono told the AP, "We were accused of breaching basic human rights and how dare we limit how long someone can have a hug for."

Other people seemed to feel that the time allocation policy was plenty.

"I'd make it 30 seconds," said one man on X.

Another user posted, "That is 3 minutes longer than I usually get."

"I mean.... a 3 minute hug is just uncomfortable soooo," another person added.

One supporter said, "It's great idea."

De Bono continued to say the new limit is "plenty of time to pull up, say farewell to your loved ones and move on."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.