A New Zealand airport has placed a limit on goodbye hugs at its drop-off area, allowing a maximum of three minutes for farewells. The sign at Dunedin Airport reads, "max hug time 3 minutes," and suggests that those wishing for longer goodbyes should use the car park instead.

A New Zealand airport has placed a limit on goodbye hugs at its drop-off area, allowing a maximum of three minutes for farewells. The sign at Dunedin Airport reads, "max hug time 3 minutes," and suggests that those wishing for longer goodbyes should use the car park instead. A photo of the sign, posted to the Facebook group "The view from my window" earlier this week, sparked a debate about what’s considered appropriate an appropriate amount of time when saying goodbye at airports. One person commented, “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’.” "You get 3 minutes to hug?? In America, they don’t even want you to stop. Just come to a slow roll and push your passenger out. I’m serious," a user wrote in the comment section. Also read: India: Aviation Ministry summons airline CEOs as hoax bomb threats reach 30; tougher penalties in discussion “This got me thinking…. Who are the people I would hug for 3 minutes? There are a very few, mostly family, and a dear long-time friend. But in spite of the humor of this sign, it’s something to think about. Life is short,” wrote a third one in the comments. Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono addressed the issue in an interview with New Zealand’s RNZ radio. De Bono said that airports are "emotional hotspots". He then went on to cite a study which said that a 20-second hug can release oxytocin, the "love hormone." De Bono added that moving people along quickly helps ensure more travellers can share hugs. He also noted that Dunedin Airport’s parking lot allows a free 15-minute stay, during which, he admitted, "our team has witnessed some interesting things over the years." (With inputs from agencies)

Hugging on the clock? New Zealand airport sparks debate by limiting goodbye hugs to 3 minutes

Air New Zealand has started weighing its passengers at the airport. It is in attempt gather for the 'Passengers' Weight Survey' and aims at passenger safety. What is this survey?

Gravitas: Why are passengers being weighed at New Zealand airport?

It is normal to weigh bags before boarding a flight but the aviation authorities in New Zealand have asked its national carrier to now weigh passengers also. That’s right, New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority has asked Air New Zealand to weigh passengers before departure on international flights taking off from Auckland International Airport.&nbsp;

<h2>Why is New Zealand doing this?</h2>

Air New Zealand has said that the process is part of a passenger weight survey to gather real-world data on the weight load and distribution of planes. The airlines' load control improvement specialist Alastair James, in a statement, said that they weigh “everything” which goes onboard the aircraft “from the cargo to the meals onboard, to the luggage in the hold.”&nbsp;

He added, “For customers, crew and cabin bags, we use average weights, which we get from doing this survey.” Air New Zealand also told NPR, that it is for “safety reasons” that they weigh everything onboard the aircraft and the survey is also mandated by the country’s civil aviation authority.&nbsp;

<h2>Process will be&nbsp;anonymous, optional</h2>

“No one can see your weight, not even us,” said James. The airline also said that they acknowledge that standing on the weighing scale in public “can be daunting”. However, they have&nbsp;asked people not to worry as the scales will not display the passengers’ weight and the data will be “directly fed into a computer and recorded anonymously along with thousands of other passengers.”

The passengers will be asked to stand on a digital scale when they check-in for their flight before reaching the boarding gate. The so-called passenger weight survey aims to collect data from at least 10,000 passengers and those who do not wish to participate can skip it.&nbsp;

“It’s simple, it’s voluntary, and by weighing in, you’ll be helping us to fly you safely and efficiently, every time,” said James. The survey began for selected Air New Zealand flights departing from Auckland, on Sunday and will go on till July 2. However, this is not the first time that Air New Zealand has asked the weight of its passengers.&nbsp;

In 2021, domestic passengers participated in a similar survey but the one for international travellers was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, any amount of weight in an aircraft affects virtually everything, including, the plane’s climb rate to its cruising altitude, speed and manoeuvrability, said a report by NPR citing United States Federal Aviation Authorities.&nbsp; 
 
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It is normal to weigh bags before boarding a flight but the aviation authorities in New Zealand have asked its national carrier to now weigh passengers also. That’s right, New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority has asked Air New Zealand to weigh passengers before departure on international flights taking off from Auckland International Airport.

It is normal to weigh bags before boarding a flight but the aviation authorities in New Zealand have asked its national carrier to now weigh passengers also. That’s right, New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority has asked Air New Zealand to weigh passengers before departure on international flights taking off from Auckland International Airport. Why is New Zealand doing this? Air New Zealand has said that the process is part of a passenger weight survey to gather real-world data on the weight load and distribution of planes. The airlines' load control improvement specialist Alastair James, in a statement, said that they weigh “everything” which goes onboard the aircraft “from the cargo to the meals onboard, to the luggage in the hold.” He added, “For customers, crew and cabin bags, we use average weights, which we get from doing this survey.” Air New Zealand also told NPR, that it is for “safety reasons” that they weigh everything onboard the aircraft and the survey is also mandated by the country’s civil aviation authority. Process will be anonymous, optional “No one can see your weight, not even us,” said James. The airline also said that they acknowledge that standing on the weighing scale in public “can be daunting”. However, they have asked people not to worry as the scales will not display the passengers’ weight and the data will be “directly fed into a computer and recorded anonymously along with thousands of other passengers.” The passengers will be asked to stand on a digital scale when they check-in for their flight before reaching the boarding gate. The so-called passenger weight survey aims to collect data from at least 10,000 passengers and those who do not wish to participate can skip it. “It’s simple, it’s voluntary, and by weighing in, you’ll be helping us to fly you safely and efficiently, every time,” said James. The survey began for selected Air New Zealand flights departing from Auckland, on Sunday and will go on till July 2. However, this is not the first time that Air New Zealand has asked the weight of its passengers. In 2021, domestic passengers participated in a similar survey but the one for international travellers was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, any amount of weight in an aircraft affects virtually everything, including, the plane’s climb rate to its cruising altitude, speed and manoeuvrability, said a report by NPR citing United States Federal Aviation Authorities. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Air New Zealand to weigh passengers before they board int’l flights. Here’s why

Air New Zealand will be nimbler, fly fewer passengers and routes, and may cut more jobs as it targets a return to "healthy profits" by 2022, its chief executive said as he navigates the airline through the coronavirus crisis.

Greg Foran laid out an 800-day plan to customers and staff under which the national flag carrier will look at how to further cut labour costs, including leave without pay, reduced hours or possibly laying off more people.

"We must first survive, then revive and finally thrive," Foran said in an email to staff and customers, as he forecast revenue for the next financial year to more than halve from recent levels.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealands-last-active-patient-of-coronavirus-recovers-country-now-has-zero-cases-304099">Also read:&nbsp;New Zealand's last active patient of coronavirus recovers, country now has zero cases</a>

Shares of the airline surged 11% to NZ$1.82, its highest in almost three months.

Airlines have slashed thousands of jobs and set aside cash for impairments on aircraft as the coronavirus damaged demand amid global lockdowns. Even as countries re-open, profits may be threatened by people refraining from travel and lower fares due to discounts.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said last week that global airlines cut domestic fares by an average 23% in May, and previously warned traffic would not return to pre-crisis levels until at least 2023.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-airlines-secures-1-billion-additional-credit-after-rights-issue-304149">Also read:&nbsp;Singapore Airlines secures $1 billion additional credit after rights issue</a>

Foran envisions Air New Zealand will be 70% of its pre-COVID-19 size by August 2022 and hinted at further layoffs as the second phase of a cost-cutting plan, to save around NZ$150 million ($98 million), began.

"I am really sorry we are in a situation of needing to reduce our wages bills further, but I believe this is what we need to do with some urgency," he said.

The company has ramped up domestic capacity to 55% of normal levels as New Zealand eases curbs after containing the outbreak, but is not betting on a return to long haul flying until next year.

Air New Zealand will be nimbler, fly fewer passengers and routes, and may cut more jobs as it targets a return to "healthy profits" by 2022, its chief executive said as he navigates the airline through the coronavirus crisis.

Air New Zealand will be nimbler, fly fewer passengers and routes, and may cut more jobs as it targets a return to "healthy profits" by 2022, its chief executive said as he navigates the airline through the coronavirus crisis. Greg Foran laid out an 800-day plan to customers and staff under which the national flag carrier will look at how to further cut labour costs, including leave without pay, reduced hours or possibly laying off more people. "We must first survive, then revive and finally thrive," Foran said in an email to staff and customers, as he forecast revenue for the next financial year to more than halve from recent levels. Also read: New Zealand's last active patient of coronavirus recovers, country now has zero cases Shares of the airline surged 11% to NZ$1.82, its highest in almost three months. Airlines have slashed thousands of jobs and set aside cash for impairments on aircraft as the coronavirus damaged demand amid global lockdowns. Even as countries re-open, profits may be threatened by people refraining from travel and lower fares due to discounts. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said last week that global airlines cut domestic fares by an average 23% in May, and previously warned traffic would not return to pre-crisis levels until at least 2023. Also read: Singapore Airlines secures $1 billion additional credit after rights issue Foran envisions Air New Zealand will be 70% of its pre-COVID-19 size by August 2022 and hinted at further layoffs as the second phase of a cost-cutting plan, to save around NZ$150 million ($98 million), began. "I am really sorry we are in a situation of needing to reduce our wages bills further, but I believe this is what we need to do with some urgency," he said. The company has ramped up domestic capacity to 55% of normal levels as New Zealand eases curbs after containing the outbreak, but is not betting on a return to long haul flying until next year.

''Survive, Revive, Thrive'': Air New Zealand's 800-day runway to healthy profits

Two bolts of lightning were seen striking near a passenger plane on the runway at New Zealand's Christchurch International Airport on Wednesday (November 20), narrowly missing the aircraft, according to an aviation worker.

GCH Aviation employee Daniel Currie was watching the storm and assessing the risk for aircraft to be moved inside the hangers at 3.30 pm local time when he captured the moment on his mobile phone.

The aviation operator said the lightning did not directly hit the Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft and there appeared to be no damage to the plane or harm to passengers.

Two bolts of lightning were seen striking near a passenger plane on the runway at New Zealand's Christchurch International Airport on Wednesday (November 20), narrowly missing the aircraft, according to an aviation worker.

Two bolts of lightning were seen striking near a passenger plane on the runway at New Zealand's Christchurch International Airport on Wednesday (November 20), narrowly missing the aircraft, according to an aviation worker. GCH Aviation employee Daniel Currie was watching the storm and assessing the risk for aircraft to be moved inside the hangers at 3.30 pm local time when he captured the moment on his mobile phone. The aviation operator said the lightning did not directly hit the Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft and there appeared to be no damage to the plane or harm to passengers.

Passenger plane narrowly escapes from lightning at airport in New Zealand