Car traffic can slow down travelers entering and exiting airports, so one airport is taking a unique approach to keeping things running smoothly.
Dunedin Airport on New Zealand‘s South Island recently began posting signs asking passengers to limit how much time they spend saying goodbye to loved ones at the curb outside. “Max hug time 3 minutes,” one sign reads. If you need more time to see your friends or family off, you’ll be able to, as the signage asks “For fonder farewells, please use the car park.”
When speaking with Radio New Zealand earlier this month, Dunedin Airport CEO Dan De Bono explained that it’s a cheeky way of trying to keep traffic into the terminal moving. “We’re trying to have fun with it. It is an airport and those drop off locations are common locations for farewells,” he said, per LBC.
The problem is the traffic congestion that builds up as more people take time with long goodbyes. “There’s no space left for others,” De Bono said. “It’s about enabling others to have hugs.”
“Sometimes, travelers were using the drop-off zone to engage in last-minute amorous acts,” he added. “Airports are hotbeds of emotion… Our staff have seen some interesting things over the years.”
Ultimately, it’s less about enforcing a strict rule and meant to encourage that travelers be considerate of others. “We’re not here to tell people how long they should hug for,” he said. “It’s more the message of please move on and provide space for others.”