KLM Uses AI to Combat Food Waste on Board Flights

Photo source: KLM

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced that it is using artificial intelligence (AI) to determine the number of meals on board to help combat food waste.

The company will be using “TRAYS”, the first model specifically developed for KLM’s catering activities.

According to a company announcement, the AI model, through its Meals On Board System (MOBS), will enable the airline to better predict how many passengers who have booked will actually board a flight, allowing the exact number of required meals to be calculated.

KLM data shows that – depending on the class – between 3 and 5 percent of booked passengers do not show up (on time) for flights.

KLM said that thanks to AI it will now achieve up to 63 percent less food waste based on the expected number of passengers per flight.

According to the airline, on an annual basis, this amounts to a saving of more than 100,000 kg of meals.

Photo source: KLM

KLM CEO Marjan Rintel said that investments in digital technology are a priority for the airline.

“The application of artificial intelligence contributes enormously to improving our flight operations and making them more sustainable,” he said.

“Combatting food waste is a good example of this, resulting in tens of thousands fewer meals being wasted on our flights each year.”

The AI model TRAYS was launched at the end of last year by Kickstart AI, a platform that aims to build practical artificial intelligence solutions that solve real business problems.

KLM is also working on the application of AI in other parts of its business operations including aircraft maintenance.