New Zealand airport passengers stunned over bizarre new rule

The new rule has created mayhem around the world, being labelled 'inhumane'.

This is one change passengers aren’t embracing.

A New Zealand airport has sparked global outrage after implementing a three-minute limit on hugs in its drop-off zone, advising travelers with a sour new sign: “For fonder farewells please use the car park.”

Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this.

This 'inhumane' new rule is turning heads. Image: Facebook.

RELATED: Woman’s infuriating act on flight wins the internet

Photos of the sign showcasing the Dunedin Airport’s newest rule to combat congestion in the terminal took off online, with some Facebook users slamming the “inhumane” limit on travelers’ allotted time to say goodbye to loved ones.

“You can’t put a time limit on hugs! that’s inhumane,” one person wrote.

Another chimed in: “I love it. It shows warmth and compassion. My local airport it would be ‘you can’t stop there’ – there’s a £100 fine if you stop and a minimum £5.00 to drop someone off in the drop-off zone. I love Nice airport – they have ‘Kiss and Fly.'”

Introducing our new podcast: Mum Club! Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

RELATED: Aussie campers under fire for this irresponsible trend

Others also joined in poking fun at the odd new rule, with one person writing, “I can see the airport worker now… 2:56, 2:57, 2:58, 2:59 OK time to break it up!”

Another joked, “In America, they don’t even want you to stop. Just come to a slow roll and push your passenger out.”

The airport, for its part, wrote online that it redesigned its drop-off zone to improve safety and congestion around the terminal.

Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono told New Zealand’s RNZ radio the change was made due to space considerations.

“There’s only so much space we have in that drop-off area and too many people are spending too much time on their fonder farewells in the drop-off area. There’s no space for others.”

De Bono then mentioned a study that suggests a measly 20-second hug is enough to get the oxytocin and serotonin release people get from hugging.

“We’re not here to tell people how long they should hug for. It’s more a message of, ‘Please move onwards.’ If you’re going to spend however long, sit in the car park. You get 15 minutes free and it provides space for others who only want a 20-second hug,” he added.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was republished here with permission.

Originally published as New Zealand airport passengers stunned over bizarre new rule