There are generally two reactions when an in-flight meal is served: delight or dread. Some happily work through every course, while others pick at the food, leaving the bulk of their tray untouched. But what happens to that leftover food?
Last year, an International Air Transport Association report found the average airline passenger generates about 1.43kg of waste per flight, 20 per cent of which consists of untouched food and drinks.
This isn't only a blow to the industry's bottom line, but also to the environment, as airlines are burning fuel to carry meals that passengers might not eat, as well as source ingredients, store and prepare meals, only to incinerate unconsumed food later.
Getting creative to minimise food waste
With recycling or reusing cabin waste, airlines face complex regulations, especially on international routes. Catering waste is subject to special handling and disposal requirements, including incineration and sterilisation, which makes reusing and recycling difficult.
Although meals are prepared under global hygiene controls, countries have individual regulations and restrictions on the disposal of catering waste based on biosecurity concerns.
However, many airlines are devising increasingly innovative ways to manage the issue.
Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways has been using artificial intelligence to track food waste. The airline teamed up with Lumitics in 2020 to track unconsumed economy-class meals, with the collated data used to highlight food consumption and wastage patterns across the network.
In its most recent sustainability report, Singapore Airlines revealed it uses the same start-up as Etihad. The company created a product called Insight, a smart bin that measures, tracks and identifies food waste thrown into it. Using AI, Insight makes recommendations to reduce waste based on passengers’ consumption habits, allowing Singapore Airlines to make informed decisions about quantities brought on board and tweaking menus based on leftovers.
'Hold the meal, thanks'
Another way airlines are tackling the problem is by inviting passengers to opt out of receiving a meal before boarding. In 2020, Japan Airlines trialled a "meal skip" option on a flight to Bangkok and it was deemed a success. In December 2022, the airline expanded the option to all of its international routes, across all classes.
Up to 25 hours before departure, passengers flying with the airline can select the "no meal" option online. This cancels any main meal being packed onto the plane for them, although beverages and snacks are available on request.
The option has been well-received, says the airline, especially on late-night flights when some travellers prefer to sleep. For every cancelled meal, the airline donates funds to the Table for Two non-profit, which is tackling global hunger with school lunch projects for children in developing countries.
America's Delta Air Lines made a similar move for its business class passengers in 2022, allowing customers to skip their first meal. The option is available during the preflight selection process on Delta One services for long-haul domestic flights and certain international routes.
During the first three months of the programme, roughly 1,000 to 1,500 meals were voluntarily declined each month, a Delta representative told CNN.
What can passengers do?
While these initiatives are still in their infancy, many airlines are exploring other avenues to address food waste and sustainability. In the UAE, Emirates' vegan meal options, which emit fewer greenhouse gases than meat-based meals, are increasingly popular.
Last year, the airline noted a 40 per cent increase in customer demand for plant-based meals. This year, it is set to add more than 300 vegan dishes to its menus.
Emirates Flight Catering, one of the world’s largest airline catering providers, has also committed to reducing food waste by 35 per cent across its central operations in Dubai. The move leveraged AI and machine learning with an advanced food waste management system in its catering facilities.
And even if an airline doesn't have a campaign in place, if you know you aren't going to eat your in-flight meal, it helps to make your own arrangements, such as by having a substantial meal in the terminal before you leave or taking your own food. Your meal may already be on the plane, but the crew can give it to another passenger who requests a second portion, or use it as a staff meal. And the more meals that are discarded, the more likely airlines may be to consider tweaking quantities or opt-out models.
“Catering chefs also want to know if meals are being enjoyed – there’s a fair bit of thought put into them.”
As a former pilot and senior manager at Aer Lingus and Qantas, Jensen has eaten plenty of in-flight meals over the years, but now he's bringing his own food on his travels.
“On my last flight from Melbourne to Singapore, I flew with a home-made sandwich my wife prepared, with a cup of tea offered by the crew," he adds. "It’s all I needed.”
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group H
Manchester United v Young Boys, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Company profile
Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018
Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: Health-tech
Size: 22 employees
Funding: Seed funding
Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
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