KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced that it is utilising AI to assist it in curbing food waste.
Using the latest AI model (TRAYS), the first model specifically developed for KLM’s catering activities, the airline shared it is able to predict the number of passengers on board based on historical data.
The Meals On Board System (MOBS) receives the expected passenger numbers per flight with separate forecasts for Business, Premium Comfort and Economy classes.
The prediction starts 17 days before departure and continues until 20 minutes before the flight departs for the greatest prediction accuracy for the entire catering process from purchasing to loading.
“Investments in digital technology are a priority for KLM. The application of artificial intelligence contributes enormously to improving our flight operations and making them more sustainable. Combatting food waste is a good example of this, resulting in tens of thousands fewer meals being wasted on our flights each year,” commented Marjan Rintel, CEO and President of KLM.
KLM noted that depending on the class, between 3 per cent and 5 per cent of booked passengers do not show up (on time) for the flight. Further, a three-month analysis shows that 63 per cent less food is wasted compared to catering for every booked passenger when utilising AI.
The company shared that the largest improvement has been demonstrated in intercontinental KLM flights from Schiphol, where 2.5 fewer meals (1.3 kg) need to be thrown away per flight.
On an annual basis, this amounts to a saving of 111,000 kg in meals across all KLM flights catered from Schiphol.
The AI model TRAYS was launched at the end of last year by Kickstart AI.
“We are pleased that we have been able to make a valuable contribution to this important project for KLM. Our goal with Kickstart AI is to accelerate the adoption of AI in the Dutch business community and we look forward to working closely with Dutch companies to make this happen,” said Sander Stomph, CEO and Co-Founder of Kickstart AI.