babyvet18fe

Fear of traveling due to Covid is not an acceptable excuse to stay outside the US for more than a year as an LPR.

The airline could refuse to fly him if they see that he's an LPR who has been outside the US for more than a year.  If he is refused entry, they are responsible for flying him back.  They don't want to be obligated to do that, so they can refuse to fly him.

If the airline will let him fly, then CBP will most likely let him in.  They could also refer him to immigration court for abandonment of his LPR status.  It's unlikely that they would refuse him entry.
 

CBP officer might try to convince him to sign Form I-407, Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status. He should refuse to sign it. Without him willingly signing that form, he'll still have PR status. Thus, worst CBP could do is refer the case to an Immigration Judge.
That seems to be the current consensus on this forum. But every individual experience can differ.

No he will not need to AOS

Wow that makes me SO happy! Here I was thinking I had to spend 1000.00 and I don't yeeeehaaaawwww!   Thank you!!