NEW YORK, Dec 19 Reuters) - US Airways Group (U) has agreed to meet with its pilots to discuss a fleet restructuring plan its executives call crucial to shoring up the airline after September's attacks on the United States. Union officials said on Wednesday that US Airways executives had requested a meeting to discuss plans to expand the carrier's fleet of cost-saving regional jets. The meeting is scheduled for January 3 in Washington D.C, said the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents about 6,000 US Airways pilots. Pilots at the Arlington, Virgina-based carrier have criticized management for not engaging in discussions over job security and clarifying plans to use the small jets to replace larger mainline aircraft in certain markets. Regional jets, which carry 30 to 70 passengers, are seen as a more efficient and popular replacement for turbo-prop aircraft on short to medium haul routes. But unions often negotiate clauses that limit their use due to concerns over job security and smaller salaries. Under its current pilot contract, US Airways can operate 70 small jets, its pilot union said. US Airways, the sixth-largest U.S. carrier, announced the regional jet expansion plan as part of restructuring after the failed $4.3 billion takeover bid by UAL Corp's (UAL) United Airlines. The airline wants the small jets to stave off low-cost rivals on its East coast routes and the major carriers who already have much larger regional jet fleets. The plan took on added urgency after September's attacks further eroded airline revenues. Delta Air Lines (DAL) had more than 360 regional jets in operation or under firm order earlier this year and Continental Airlines (CAL) had about 273 of the smaller aircraft, US Airways said. US Airways Chairman and Chief Executive Stephen Wolf told union leaders recently that broadening the airline's regional jet fleet is crucial to improving its competitive position and restoring profits. "I pointed out to all that the absence of a competitive number of regional jets is an obstacle of enormous proportions, stopping us from generating connecting traffic and thus much-needed revenue," Wolf said in a message to employees. Like other major airlines, US Airways has trimmed capacity and cut thousands of jobs as it seeks to match slower travel demand after the air attacks. Aviation experts expect the U.S. airline industry to report as much as $9 billion in annual losses this year.