KLM is minimising onboard food waste using Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI programmes enable the airline to better predict how many passengers who have booked will actually board a flight. This allows the exact number of required meals to be calculated and KLM achieves up to 63% less food waste based on the expected number of passengers per flight. On an annual basis, this amounts to a saving of more than 100,000kg of meals.
“Investments in digital technology are a priority for KLM,” explains Marjan Rintel, CEO, 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.”
The latest AI model (TRAYS) is the first specifically developed for KLM’s catering activities. The AI model predicts the number of passengers onboard 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, preventing a surplus of meals.
The AI model TRAYS was launched at the end of last year by Kickstart AI. The initiative assembled talent from companies including KLM, bol, Ahold Delhaize, NS and ING, to work on the development of the model.
“We are pleased that we have been able to make a valuable contribution to this important project for KLM,” said Sander Stomph, CEO and Co-founder, Kickstart AI. “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.”
