KLM ensures that they waste less food on board aircraft by applying artificial intelligence. AI programs enable the airline to better predict how many passengers who have booked will actually take a flight. This allows the 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 we are talking about a saving of more than 100,000 kilos on meals.
Investments in digital technology are a spearhead for KLM. The application of artificial intelligence contributes enormously to improving and making our flight operations more sustainable. The fight against food waste is a good example of this, which means we waste tens of thousands of fewer meals per year on our flights.
Food waste
KLM is working on implementing artificial intelligence to determine the number of meals on board as a solution to combating food waste. Not all bookings made result in a passenger on board a KLM aircraft. Depending on the class, between 3 and 5 percent of booked passengers do not show up (on time) for the flight.
The latest AI model (TRAYS) is the first model specifically developed for KLM’s catering activities. The AI ​​model 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 flight departure, so that the most accurate possible number of passengers is predicted for the entire catering process from purchasing to loading, thus eliminating a surplus of meals. prevent.
Kickstart AI
The AI ​​model TRAYS was launched at the end of last year from Kickstart AI. Talent from leading companies, including KLM, bol, Ahold Delhaize, NS and ING, was brought together to work on the development of this model.
​We are pleased that we have been able to make a valuable contribution to this important project for KLM. Our goal is to accelerate the adoption of AI in the Dutch business community with Kickstart AI, and we look forward to working closely with Dutch companies to make this happen.
Intercontinental KLM flights
A three-month analysis shows that 63 percent less food is wasted compared to catering for every passenger booked. The biggest improvement can be seen on intercontinental KLM flights from Schiphol, where 2.5 fewer meals (1.3 kilograms) need to be thrown away per flight. On an annual basis, this amounts to a saving of 111,000 kilos in meals on all KLM flights that are catered from Schiphol.
More use of AI
KLM is also working on the application of artificial intelligence in other parts of its business operations. For example, AI is important in making aircraft maintenance smarter. In addition, AI programs are used to simulate predicted bad weather days, making it clear in advance which schedule is best to work with to allow flights to continue as much as possible. AI also helps customers give personal travel tips after booking a flight.
