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Imagine your final landing, a hot bowl of chicken tikka masala, hot naan and a large mango lassi packed in a grey, bleached plastic container which the crew tossed in the trash bin upon leaving. Every single-use plastic product contributes to the millions of trays, cutlery and containers that are disposed of and finally find their way to landfills or burn piles. The heaviness of this waste increases with the increase in air traffic.
However, what if your food delivery container could contribute to making the planet clean as well? Enter aviation casseroles: made of compostable - fibre-moulded trays that will revolutionise airline catering. The aviation industry in India is expanding, and the nation has taken the sustainable packaging direction, which makes the country a pioneer in this green trend.
An average commercial aircraft carries more than 2,000 meal trays on a long‑haul flight. Multiply that by the thousands of daily flights that criss-cross the globe, and you have a staggering volume of single‑use plastic detonating into our ecosystems. According to a 2023 audit, the airline industry contributed over 30 million kilograms of plastic waste to the global landfill, a figure that is projected to rise in tandem with passenger numbers.
The aviation industry of India is flying high. It will have 520million passengers by 2037, which will be a huge strain on the environment. Each takeoff and landing contributes to the planet weight- and wastes. It is high time to consider the packaging that can go with us, and compostable represent a ray of hope.
Manufacturers developed these trays using bagasse (fibrous residue of the sugarcane processing), bamboo fibres, or recycled paper pulp. They are the foundation of the Fibmold aviation casserole, a light, strong and entirely compostable replacement that can respond to in-flight oven heat, cold cargo areas, and the pressure variations at 42,000 feet.
The trays not only make the airlines environmentally friendly but also a means through which their brand is strengthened. Having a clean, high-quality finish, airlines will print logos, add custom graphics, and add QR codes that can redirect passengers to online menus or sustainability reports. A well-designed and environmentally friendly ship becomes a treat to a meal in the time of eco-conscious tourists.
Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) of India issued a system according to which food-contact containers should be recyclable or compostable, not containing dangerous chemicals, and not any microplastics. Adherence is no longer a choice, but an ethical and legal requirement of airlines and catering partners.
Some airlines like Air India, Vistara, KLM, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines are on their way to biodegradable packaging. They satisfy regulatory requirements and call on increasing numbers of consumers. Do something before the next flight.
One airline collaborated with Fibmold to test a new track of compostable trays. The dishes might be warmed in a low-flight oven, and eaten hot, and then cooled, or the other way around, without affecting the structural integrity or food safety. The airline saved 12 percent of the cargo weight, cut down fuel usage, and received good publicity regarding its sustainability initiative.
Not only flagship carriers can be adopted. Airlines like SpiceJet and IndiGo, as well as private jet companies, use light and biodegradable trays so they can save money while still attracting customers who care about the environment. Compostable trays are gaining a leading position in the industry, instead of a high-end luxury.
Weight is a priority. Any kilogramme of cargo saved results in fuel savings since the engines of aeroplanes burn 5-7 percent of their weight every hour. Replacing 500-gramme plastic trays with 200-gramme fibre-based trays would save the fleet weight by 6 percent in a fleet of 50 aircraft- this could potentially save the airline millions of rupees every year.
Compostable trays decrease landfill charges, simplify waste management and it minimises compliance expenses. Airlines do not have to have specialised infrastructure for recycling plastics anymore, and the regulators have lesser chances of finding them in non-compliance.
A differentiated brand name is important in a competitive market. Seated on a branded, compostable casserole, a meal served by an airline will tell passengers about environmental responsibility. This has the ability to boost loyalty, rationale of higher ticket prices and reputation- particularly among young, environmentally conscious travellers.
The next time you sit on an aircraft, the tray in front of your seat can be a smooth, biodegradable and logo-less vessel of your airline rather than the usual grey plastic. It is a small fact that represents the giant change, that you are reminded that with every bite, you are helping make the sky cleaner.
Consider the trip of the tray, the sugarcane fields in the country, rural India to the stainless steel belly of a new-age aircraft, combined with the farmers, manufacturers, logistics groups, and passengers — all of them make a difference.
The wave of this revolution has no boundaries. Some ideas include having digital menus printed directly onto the tray surface or having trays composted at airport ground-handling facilities. Imagine airlines cooperating with regional craft unions to create culturally particular, biodegradable serving food that tells local history.
India can make the best out of it to establish a global standard. As the FSSAI has strict requirements, the country has a developing internal market, and the quality of the fibre-based products is high, then this nation will move the world into the era of sustainable, zero-plastic in-flight food consumption.
When you next have a meal with high fliers, you will recall the compostable tray that transported it - made of renewable fibre, fuel-saving and aimed at saving the planet. The selection of your airline, your comments and your dedication to being green are all part of this revolution. We are not only raising the standard of in-flight food but also a movement that ensures our skies, and our planet, will stay clean long after we, and our generation, are gone.
According to India’s Civil Aviation Annual Report (2024–25), India’s domestic aviation sector is growing at 8.6% annually, serving nearly 520 million projected passengers by 2037. This growth underscores the urgent need for eco-friendly alternatives in catering. Replacing traditional plastic trays with compostable fibre trays can reduce airline waste by up to 70%, while also cutting average fuel consumption through lighter packaging materials.
In-flight dining is no longer just about serving food — it’s about creating an experience that reflects care, innovation, and sustainability.
As India’s aviation industry continues to climb to new heights, the adoption of eco-friendly catering solutions and compostable packaging will define the future of air travel. The shift isn’t just about reducing waste — it’s about reshaping passenger perception, building responsible brands, and flying towards a cleaner planet.
With Fibmold’s Aviation Casseroles and Compostable Trays, airlines are proving that luxury, compliance, and ecology can coexist — tray by tray, mile by mile. Each meal served in the sky becomes a small yet powerful commitment to sustainability.
So, the next time you unwrap your in-flight meal, take a moment to notice — your tray might just be part of a greener tomorrow. 🌍
Discover how Fibmold is revolutionizing sustainable in-flight dining:
Together, let’s make the skies of India — and the world — cleaner, greener, and truly unforgettable.
