the need for new solutions triggers creativity and collaboration

As

Ihave come from outside the industry at a really exciting time for aviation sustainability. There is much to do, much to discuss but the level of engagement and commitment to solutions is high. The need for new solutions triggers a creativity and collaboration that we all benefit from. As a caterer offering a holistic end-toend service, we have been collecting a lot of data and know our CO2 footprint is not just about how we operate but also how our customers, the airlines, operate. Our impact isn’t just the impact of our units, products, kitchens and packaging but, as part of the current standard practice, we also account for the waste that comes off the aircraft.

For this reason, we are very interested in collaborating with the airlines to help them optimise the onboarded products, cut waste and set up recycling processes so that, together, we reduce environmental impacts.

Act Now

There is a lot of industry-wide debate on the complications of International Catering Waste (ICW) and a big push for smarter regulations but it’s not clear how long that will take and we cannot just wait. There are some things we can do today. Work on domestic flights, for example, with no ICW, and on behavioural and operational changes. Airlines are putting focus on the preorder and we are working to advise them on quantities, tray composition and the CO2 value of their menus so they can pass that on to their customers and encourage good choices. We need progress all along the product journey. Post-covid, sustainability is back on the agenda and airlines do want solutions. While the environmental footprint of airline catering is relatively tiny, investing in quality products and cutting waste can have a great impact. We are dedicating resources to continuous analysis of food trends to ensure we are exactly sure what consumers want. The sector does also need investment in infrastructure to treat and recycle aviation waste. For this we need to look beyond the business competition to find solutions through openness, best practice and collaboration across the value chain: suppliers, airlines, airports and regulators.

Act Locally

I also believe local teams can find some great solutions within existing resources and help drive best practise. Every jurisdiction is different in terms of infrastructure, regulation and commitment to sustainability, so improvements have to reflect local conditions. We all want one significant change to transform things but in fact lots of small measures globally can add up to a big impact and should not be underestimated. •