KLM deploys artificial intelligence to combat food waste

KLM is working on using artificial intelligence to determine the number of meals on board to help combat food waste.

The latest AI model (TRAYS) is specifically developed for KLM’s catering activities. It predicts 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 using the AI model starts 17 days before departure and continues until 20 minutes before the flight departs. This means the most accurate possible number of passengers is predicted for the entire catering process from purchasing to loading, which helps prevent a surplus of meals and therefore unnecessary waste.

A three-month analysis showed that by implementing this initiative, 63% less food is wasted compared to catering for every booked passenger. On an annual basis, this amounts to a saving of 111,000 kg of meals across all KLM flights catered from Schiphol.