Airport introduces maximum hugging time at drop-off zone and people aren’t happy

Forget about giving your loved one a long and extended hug if you visit this New Zealand airport, as they've only gone and instructed a limit on how long you get to say goodbye.

We all know the drill when it comes to dropping someone off before they go on their hollibobs; you either let them hop out of the car and hug them on the path before saying 'bye', or you'll talk into the airport with them to hug it out inside.

But for those of you who enjoy a nice long cuddle, prepared to be disappointed.

The New Zealand airport has imposed strict rules on hugging (Getty Stock Images)

At Dunedin Airport, you've got a set time limit before you have to untangle yourself from your person.

The international airport has capped the minutes as part of their plan to improve safety in the drop-off zone, as well as keeping traffic moving.

Dunedin Airport's chief executive, Dan De Bono, told Radio New Zealand (RNZ) that the airport wants to avoid having to sound warning messages at its drop-off zones.

He noted that they can be 'quite intense', as the warnings would have to tell huggers that they will be forced to clamp their vehicle's wheels or even impose fines on those who linger too long.

He explained that this three-minute rule is for the greater good, but the warning threats are something the airport wanted to avoid imposing.

De Bono told RNZ: “We’re trying to have fun with it. It is an airport and those drop-off locations are common locations for farewells."

He went on to say that it was caused by people taking too long at the drop-off zones and it was affecting everyone.

“There’s no space left for others,” he said. “It’s about enabling others to have hugs.”

He went on to share that the zones can be a hotbed for some interesting displays of affection, and said: “Airports are hotbeds of emotion … our staff have seen some interesting things over the years.”

However, the signs which depict the time limit have now 'caused quite a stir'.

A sign in the airport’s drop-off zone warns pedestrians: “Max hug time 3 minutes. For fonder farewells please use the car park.”

Dunedin Airport has capped hugging at three minutes (Getty stock images)

As it seems, he was right on the money when it came to understanding that people were miffed about it, as critics of the signs took to Facebook to share why they think it's a load of rubbish.

While one person called it 'inhumane', another claimed that the airport will not dictate how long she gets to hug her kids 'after a year of not seeing them'.

Another person shared: "Wow ! How sad is the world coming to."

Someone else claimed that the 'policymakers need to get laid'.

But there are those who believe it's a great move from the airport, and even think that '3 minutes is too long'.

De Bono said that there won't be any enforcement police, but staff may politely ask people who are hugging too long to move it into the car park.

He said: “We’re not here to tell people how long they should hug for, it’s more the message of, 'please move on and provide space for others'.”