AN AIRPORT in New Zealand has introduced a time limit on how long passengers can say goodbye to their loved ones.
Dunedin Airport on New Zealand‘s South Island has imposed a three-minute time limit on cuddles in its drop-off zone.
Dunedin Airport in New Zealand has introduced a time limit on hugs in its drop-off zone[/caption]
The tongue-in-cheek policy has been introduced to help improve passenger flow[/caption]
The tongue-in-cheek policy has been introduced to help improve passenger flow in the drop-off zone.
A sign in the drop-off area reads: “Max hug time 3 minutes. For fonder farewells please use the car park.”
The sign was introduced in a bid to avoid the usual threats and fines passengers will have seen previously in the airport.
Dan De Bono, who is the chief executive of Dunedin Airport, told Radio New Zealand: “We’re trying to have fun with it. It is an airport and those drop off locations are common locations for farewells.
“There’s no space left for others. It’s about enabling others to have hugs.”
Even with its cheeky tone, the new sign has caused a stir among both locals and passengers, leaving some stunned.
In a post on Facebook, one person wrote: “Good, Lord! They’re trying to regulate everything, aren’t they?!”
While on a separate post, another user commented: “You can’t put a time limit on hugs, that’s inhumane.”
Other social media users didn’t see a problem with the three-minute time limit, with one writing: “I love it. It shows warmth and compassion.”
Back in 2016, Aalborg Airport in Denmark introduced nearly identical signage, limiting kissing and hugging to three minutes.
AIRPORT DROP-OFF CHARGES
Earlier this year, an exclusive report by The Sun revealed that drop-off charges at some airports had surged by up to 20 per cent compared to the previous year.
The report compared the cost of drop-off fees at 28 UK airports, with seven upping their charges.
These included Aberdeen Airport, Birmingham Airport, Bristol Airport, Gatwick Airport, Glasgow Airport, Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Leeds Bradford Airport.
Bristol Airport upped its costs by £1, with a 30-minute stay now costing £6.
Drop-off prices also increased at Gatwick Airport, with 15-minute stays costing passengers £6.
In Scotland, Aberdeen Airport increased its charge from £5 to £5.50.
And over in Glasgow, Glasgow Airport increased its 15-minute drop-off by 50p up to £5.50, and Glasgow Prestwick’s rose by 50p to £4.
Leeds Bradford Airport also increased its charge to £6.50 for a 10-minute stay.
The highest airport drop-off cost was at Stansted Airport where passengers are charged £7 for a stay of up to 15 minutes.
Almost all UK airports charge drivers a minimum of £3 to drop off passengers, with some airports fining motorists who fail to pay the charge.
According to the report, Inverness, Newquay and Cardiff airports don’t impose a drop-off charge.
Free Airport parking in the UK
THERE are a handful of UK airports with free airport drop-off fees, which means holidaymakers can take their time hugging their loved ones goodbye.
Drop-offs at any of Heathrow’s various long-stay car parks are free for 30 minutes. Holidaymakers and their loved ones will just need to board a free transit bus to the terminal.
At London Luton Airport passengers can be dropped off at its mid-stay car park without having to pay.
Other airports also run similar schemes, including Aberdeen Airport, Birmingham International Airport, Bristol Airport, East Midlands Airport, Gatwick Airport, Glasgow Airport, Leeds Bradford Airport, Manchester Airport, Newcastle Airport, Southend Airport and Stansted Airport.
Meanwhile, here are the eight hidden airport charges adding up to £592 to your holiday bills – and how to avoid them.
Travellers love this bag that they claim prevents them from having to pay for hand luggage.
The new policy has left some passengers stunned (stock image)[/caption]
