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.