Etihad Airways is to use machine learning to help tackle the problem of food wase on its flights.
The national airline of the UAE started a project that makes use of computer vision and machine learning to cut down on the volume of food wasted on flights. The project is in partnership with Lumitics, a Singapore food technology start-up.
Economy-class meals served on Etihad flights will be tracked to record food consumption patterns and waste levels across the airline's network. This will be done using Lumitics' Insight Lite product, which will monitor the number of uneaten meals on a plane when it reaches an airport.
The programme uses artificial intelligence and image recognition to identify the types and quantity of unconsumed food, without the need for human interaction.
This data will be used by Etihad in plans to reduce food waste, improve meal planning on a granular level and lower operating costs. So, for instance, if X amount of chicken dishes are always left uneaten on flights from Chicago, they will reduce that meal on that service.
1.14 million tonnes wasted every year
In 2017, the International Air Transport Association found that 1.14 million tonnes of food was wasted from in-flight catering and about 20 per cent of all food produced by in-flight catering teams is wasted every year.
The problem is something airlines are aware of and Etihad began its partnership with Lumitics this year, before aviation was widely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. With many routes now restarting, Etihad is keen to move forward with the project.
“As the airline scales up the flight operations again, it is exciting to restart the project and continue the work that had begun," said Mohammad Al Bulooki, chief operating officer at Etihad Aviation Group.
Rayner Loi, co-founder of Lumitics, said "tackling food waste is one of the largest cost-saving opportunities for any business producing and serving food".
"Not only does it make business sense, it is also good for the environment. We are excited to be working with Etihad Airways to help achieve its goals in reducing food waste," he said.
Sustainable flying
Etihad's food waste programme is one of several sustainability focused initiatives the airline is undertaking.
Last year, the Abu Dhabi airline operated a single-use-plastic-free flight from the UAE to Australia and introduced its Etihad Greenliner programme to help improve operating efficiency and sustainable practice in aviation.
Most recently, Etihad partnered with Boeing and Nasa to use its newest Dreamliner as a test bed for technologies that can help reduce fuel consumption, noise pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Saint-Etienne v Montpellier (10.45pm)
Saturday
Monaco v Caen (7pm)
Amiens v Bordeaux (10pm)
Angers v Toulouse (10pm)
Metz v Dijon (10pm)
Nantes v Guingamp (10pm)
Rennes v Lille (10pm)
Sunday
Nice v Strasbourg (5pm)
Troyes v Lyon (7pm)
Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain (11pm)
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if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
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