Dunedin Airport’s 3-Minute Hug Rule: A Lighthearted Fix for Traffic Jams

If you’re heading to Dunedin Airport in New Zealand to drop off a loved one, you may need to keep your goodbye hugs short and sweet. In September, the airport implemented a new policy that limits hugs at the drop-off zone to three minutes in an effort to keep traffic flowing smoothly.

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What we know about the Dunedin Airport’s 3-Minute Hug Rule

Image credit: Dunedin Airport | Official Facebook page

The rule was introduced after airport officials noticed that many goodbyes were taking too long, causing congestion in the drop-off area and leaving no space for other vehicles. To address this, a sign was put up outside the terminal reading, “Max hug time 3 minutes.” While the airport still wants travellers to have emotional farewells, it suggests those looking for longer goodbyes do so in the parking lot, where there’s more space.

Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel de Bono explained that the rule wasn’t meant to be taken too seriously, but rather as a lighthearted way to manage traffic. “We’re only trying to have fun with it,” de Bono said, noting that the drop-off zone is a common spot for emotional goodbyes. The aim is not to stop hugs altogether but to ensure that other drivers can quickly drop off their passengers and move on.

Reactions to the rule on social media have been mixed. Some people found the sign amusing, while others were more critical, calling it “inhumane” and a breach of basic human rights. De Bono acknowledged the criticism but clarified that the airport is not enforcing the rule strictly. “We do not have hug police,” he said, reassuring travellers that they aren’t timing hugs, but encouraging people to be mindful of others waiting in line.

Despite the debate, de Bono added that three minutes is more than enough time to say a meaningful goodbye. He pointed out that research shows even a 20-second hug is enough to trigger the release of oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone.”

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Compared to stricter policies at other airports around the world—such as wheel clamping, fines, or charges for short drop-offs—Dunedin Airport’s three-minute hug limit is seen as a much gentler solution to a common problem. In the UK, for instance, some airports charge drivers for brief drop-offs to deter congestion.

So, next time you’re at Dunedin Airport, make the most of your three minutes, and keep the traffic moving!

Featured image credit: YakobchukOlena via Canva Pro