AI Saves Tons: Airline Slashes Annual Inflight Food Waste by 111,000kg

The KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has implemented AI to address inflight food waste. KLM uses AI to predict the number of passengers boarding a flight based on historical data. The Meals On Board System, supported by AI technology TRAYS, refines predictions 17 days before departure and up to 20 minutes before takeoff. This system ensures an accurate estimation of passengers for the entire catering process, minimizing meal surplus.

Approximately 3% to 5% of booked passengers, depending on the class, do not show up for their flights. The TRAYS technology reduces food waste by up to 63%, preventing 111,000 kg of inflight meals from being discarded annually. KLM specifically highlights the success of this approach on intercontinental flights from Schiphol, where 2.5 fewer meals (1.3 kg each) are wasted per flight.

KLM’s AI Initiatives and Use Cases

Beyond tackling food waste, KLM employs AI in various operational aspects. AI programs simulate predicted bad weather days and provide personalized travel tips to customers after flight bookings. Additionally, the airline collaborates with technology firm Pangiam at Amsterdam Schiphol to explore AI's application in expediting baggage security checks.

“The application of artificial intelligence contributes enormously to improving our flight operations and making them more sustainable. Combating food waste is a good example of this, resulting in tens of thousands fewer meals being wasted on our flights each year,” said CEO Marjan Rintel emphasizing the importance of digital technology investments for the company.