The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact not only on airlines but on pilots as well.

Some consider the impact of the virus on the airline industry similar to that of 9-11 in that it will likely have permanent ramifications on how operations are carried out.

Chris Legrow is a commercial pilot with a national carrier. He says work has dropped off dramatically.

He says up until recently they were doing about 5 per cent of their normal flying. That’s led to some airlines grounding their fleets altogether, resulting in layoffs for many pilots and other staff.

Legrow says pilots who are still flying, are in nearly perpetual self-isolation.

Including himself, but he calls that a small sacrifice compared to what others are going through.