Seventeen years after SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) terrorized Asia, a new virus has grabbed the headlines.

Originating in Hubei province central China, the virus has infected over 40,000 people already and is spreading rapidly all over the world.

The speed of transmission is quite alarming – just a week ago the number of cases had just hit 10,000!

With many countries stopping the entry of non-nationals inbound from China, airlines are cancelling flights into China. BA and JQ Australia were among the first to do so. Qantas is still flying into Beijing but has pulled out of other cities too.

The airlines are feeling the pinch. Pilot jobs in jeopardy already.

What would it mean for the industry?