World's First Airport Bans Long Hugs for Passengers
New Zealand's Dunedin Airport has sparked lively discussions around the world after the introduction of a new rule that limits the duration of hugs in the passenger drop-off area to three minutes. CNN writes about it.
‘For longer farewells, please use the car park,’ reads a warning sign on the airport building.
The move has provoked a mixed reaction on social media. Some Facebook users are outraged that even hugs now have a ‘time limit’, while others are surprised that the airport has kept the free drop-off zone at all, given the rise in fees and fines around the world.
In a radio interview, Daniel de Bono, CEO of Danone Airport, explained that airports are ‘hot spots of emotion’. He recalled a study showing that a 20-second hug is enough to release the ‘love hormone’ oxytocin. In his opinion, the fast movement of passengers allows more people to get their share of hugs.
Dunedin Airport offers free parking for 15 minutes. This avoids the rush for those who want to say goodbye a little longer. According to de Bono, the airport team has ‘seen a lot of interesting things... over the years’.