Nuttynat416 & JDA2012
JDA2012 - Pretty much spot on answer, just one mistake. The retirement age increased to 65, so the retirement rate will return to normal next year. That being said, it is only a handful of retirements expected per year for quite a few years due to meeting the age barrier.
Also, BA are recruiting like mad at the moment. The DEP recruitment is aiming to fill short term holes in manpower, the FPP due to long lead times is looking slightly longer term. Whether that will make a difference to the overall numbers wanted from the FPP route, who knows.
BA, and the aviation industry in general, is incredibly reactive to pretty much everything else in the known universe. Business plans in the airline change from week to week, and quite literally day to day. It is impossible to say whether the scheme will continue and how long for, there are too many external (and internal) factors. However, the company are, I hear, rather happy with the output of the FPP scheme and it makes business sense to continue the scheme if possible.
As has been thrown around many times, seniority is king, so the earlier you can get in the better!
Best of luck to everyone successful on this intake, it's hard work but you'll enjoy it.