Lufthansa subsidiary, Lufthansa Industry Solutions is developing an AI-driven solution to detect untouched or partially-eaten food and unwanted supplements, reports Simple Flying. The food waste AI, expected to only be available from next year, is being developed in cooperation with the Lufthansa Group Clean Tech Hub, Lufthansa airlines, Swiss, Eurowings Discover and Lufthansa Industry Solutions.
The airline aims to use AI-powered food detectors to take pictures of catering trays returned after each flight. The pictures will be analysed by a computer vision AI system to identify parts of the meal that haven’t been completely eaten. The system will measure the weight of the leftover food and enable Lufthansa to adapt meals to each flight’s specific needs and preferences, so reducing wastage. It will further identify quality issues and less popular food options.
What’s more, according to businesstraveller.com, the airline has also joined Austrian, Eurowings and SWISS in offering unsold inflight food at a discount to reduce wastage. It says because its fresh food options like salads and sandwiches are prepared without colourants or preservatives, they have a short shelf life and must be disposed of if not sold on designated flights.
Lufthansa’s new ‘Onboard Delights Last Minute’ initiative offers passengers on European flights to Frankfurt and Munich a chance to buy unsold fresh food at the discounted set price of €3.50 (R69). Miles & More members will earn and redeem miles when supporting the Onboard Delights menu, with at least one mile being credited per Euro spent.
The airline is targeting a 50% reduction of food waste on shorthaul flights by 2025, compared with 2019 levels.
According to Iata, the airline industry generates over six tonnes of waste a year onboard aircraft, 20-25% of which is untouched food and drinks.
