Car stolen during Vic airport dropoff

A woman's car has been stolen as she farewelled a friend at Melbourne airport.

The woman was giving her friend a goodbye hug at the international terminal when the man drove off with her black 2007 Honda Jazz.

Police have described the theft as brazen as the keys were in the ignition at the time.

The owner of the vehicle and her friend attempted to stop the opportunist but he drove off.

"We look at it now and probably think we were a little stupid to try and save my car ... it's just a car I suppose," the woman told Fairfax Radio.

Police are seeking witnesses to the theft which occurred at 9.15pm (AEDT) on January 30.