I have heard BA plan to recruit 500 pilots this year or into the early part of 2012, depending on their retirement pilot plans
But BA don't know what their pilot's retirement plans are. Since the ending of compulsary retirement at age 55 pilot manpower planning at BA has become a real headache since BA have no idea who will retire and when. If all the over 55's left BA next year then yes, a figure of 500 might be credible, but my best guess is more like 200-300 tops.