Qantas is cutting back on the number of meals carried on select services, in order to reduce food wastage.
Last month, the Flying Kangaroo started flying with two percent less meals on select, international overnight flights, The Australian reported.
Although the reduction in food could see around 10 passengers on a sold out A380 miss out on a meal, Qantas said so far it has had no negative impact on customers.
Head of Customer Product and Service Development, Philip Capps, said the carrier is constantly monitoring catering requirements to ensure passengers needs are met.
“We constantly monitor the catering requirements on our flights to make sure we are meeting our customers’ needs and minimising the amount of waste we throw away each day.”
Philip Capps, Qantas Head of Customer Product and Service Development
“Like most airlines, we make small adjustments to the catering depending on the time of day, duration of the flight and customer preference.”
In addition to reducing meals on select flights, Qantas has over the last year redistributed 35,000 tonnes of food to people in need through OzHarvest.
The one-year trial saw Qantas and Food ‘ResQ’ volunteers develop a process that allows OzHarvest vans to collect a variety of untouched foods, such as fruits, breakfast cereals, baked goods and water cup, from domestic flights.
Alison Webster, Executive Manager Qantas Freight and Qantas Catering Group said the program has been a huge success to date with tonnes of food distributed to underprivileged school children, drought-affected families, refuge centres, youth centres and many more community causes.
“Every kilogram of food that can be rescued from a Qantas flight saves perfectly edible food from ending up in landfill which not only protects the environment but helps make a positive difference to the lives of those less fortunate.”
Alison Webster, Qantas Freight and Qantas Catering Group Executive Manager
“The Qantas Food ResQ program is run by a terrific group of volunteers who treasure hunt through the catering boxes on the lookout for packaged items such as sweet treats and whole fruit to salvage.”
