Meet the airport with a three-minute limit on hugs

How much time do you need to say goodbye to loved ones when you drop them off kerbside at an airport?

Dunedin Airport on the south island of New Zealand has sparked controversy by imposing a three-minute limit on fond farewells in its free drop off zone.

The signage adds: “for fonder farewells please use the car park”.

Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono told local radio that airports are “hotbeds of emotion”, and that a 20-second hug is enough to release the love hormone oxytocin.

He says the move is about improving traffic flow and safety around the terminal. They were trying to have a bit of fun with the announcement, he said.

"It's caused quite a stir, we've got quite a bit of conversation going."

The story has gained the attention of international news media from CNN and The New York Post to The Times of India.

Dunedin celebrates resumption of international flights

Dunedin in New Zealand and Hobart in Tasmania have a lot in common.

Both are beautiful but remote locations - and both have international airports that do not currently offer international flights. 

Dunedin was celebrating this week, however, with the announcement of a new flight connection with Australia.

The new route between the city and Gold Coast was announced at Dunedin Airport.

Jetstar will operate three departures and three arrivals a week out of Dunedin from June 2025.

Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich says he's thrilled with the announcement.

“We've all been eager to see a regularly scheduled international service reinstated, ever since direct flights to Brisbane stopped in March 2020," he said.

Dunedin City Council buildings, St Paul's Cathedral and Tūhura Otago Museum were lit up in Jetstar orange to celebrate the news.

“While we'll be encouraging locals to travel across the ditch, we'll also focus our efforts on enticing Queenslanders to come here and experience the amazing attractions our city – and the lower South Island – have to offer,” Radich says.

Tickets for the Dunedin-Gold Coast route are on sale now.