NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Sept. 11, 2003--A judge in U.S. District Court in Manhattan ruled that victims and surviving family members of the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackings can sue various parties, including the airlines and Boeing Co. (A/Stable/A-1). Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said that its ratings (which were lowered on May 15, 2003) and outlook on Boeing are not affected by this development. Boeing was sued over the design of its cockpit doors. The firm plans to appeal the decision and has substantial coverage for such claims under its aviation insurance, in the event it loses after a likely long appeal process. Therefore, the potential impact on Boeing's financial profile does not appear to be material at this
