KLM is using artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce onboard food waste. The programs are being used to help the carrier more precisely predict how many books passengers are likely to board a flight, meaning that a near-exact number of meals can be calculated.
On Tuesday (February 6, 2024), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced that they are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help combat onboard food waste. The AI programs help the carrier more precisely predict how many booked passengers will actually board the flight, meaning that KLM can predict a near-exact number of meals required, thereby reducing the airline’s food baste by 63 percent. Annually, this results in a savings of over 100,000 kg of meals.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Maria Hagelberg, responsible for KLM and Air France’s sustainability in Northern Europe, said,
“We are very focused on making our company more sustainable and we are very satisfied with the result from the collaboration with Kickstart AI. Thanks to improved predictions, we have managed to reduce food waste by 63%. This reduces the weight on board and thus the fuel consumption. Investing in new technology that contributes to a more sustainable development feels good and is important.”
Generally, depending on class of service, between 3-5 percent of booked passengers do not show up, or at least do not show up on time prior to departure, so the AI is being used to determine the exact number of meals required. Specially developed for KLM’s catering operation, the latest AI model (TRAYS) predicts the number of boarded passengers based on historical data. Then, the Meals On Board System (MOBS) receives the expected number of boarded guests with different predictions for Business, Premium Comfort and Economy classes.
Prediction using the AI model commences 17 days prior to departure and closes 20 minutes prior to flight departures, meaning the number of passengers for the entire catering process, from purchase to loading, can be accurately predicted. The TRAYS AI model was launched at the end of 2023 by Kickstart AI, with the initiative bringing together talented colleagues from KLM, bol, Ahold Delhaize, NS and ING, to work on the model development. A three month analysis has since shown that 63 percent less food is wasted compared to catering for each passenger booked. The greatest improvement has been seen on KLM’s intercontinental flights departing Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), where 2.5 meals (1.3 kg) less have been discarded per flight. Annually, this corresponds to a savings of 111,000 kg in meals across all KLM flights departing AMS.
Source: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines/Mynewsdesk