An airport has introduced controversial new signage at its drop-off zone, urging travellers to limit their farewells to a maximum of three minutes.
The signs, placed outside the departures area, read, “Max hug time 3 minutes.” Additionally, for those who prefer longer goodbyes, the airport suggests using the nearby car park.
The lighthearted messages have sparked mixed reactions. Some locals find the warnings “quite intense,” as the airport, located on New Zealand’s South Island, threatens potential fines or wheel clamping for those who overstay. Despite this, the airport stresses that the aim is to keep traffic moving smoothly and avoid taking enforcement measures.
The airport’s chief executive, Dan De Bono, explained that the initiative is meant to be playful while addressing a real issue. “We’re trying to have fun with it,” De Bono told radio station RNZ, adding that many people linger too long in the drop-off zone, leading to congestion. “It’s about enabling others to have hugs,” he said.
Though the airport does not plan to strictly enforce the “hugging limit,” staff may politely ask people to move to the car park if their farewells are causing delays. “We’re not here to tell people how long they should hug,” De Bono clarified, emphasising that the priority is to maintain a smooth flow of traffic.
[Image created via MidJourney]