Airlines, security firms seek dismissal of lawsuit stemming from Sept. 11 attacks

<br>NEW YORK (AP) _ Two airlines and several airport security firms have asked a federal court to dismiss claims stemming from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, saying they were not liable for damage or

Tuesday, January 21st 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Two airlines and several airport security firms have asked a federal court to dismiss claims stemming from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, saying they were not liable for damage or casualties on the ground in New York or at the Pentagon.

In the request filed Friday in Manhattan, the companies claim they had no legal responsibility toward victims who were not aboard the four hijacked planes.

The lawsuit against the companies claims they were responsible for security breaches that enabled the 19 hijackers to board and later take over the planes. It was filed by relatives of people killed or injured and firms that lost property or suffered economic losses.

They also noted that the government created a program to compensate victims and a legal action to incorporate damage claims.

Defendants include American Airlines, which owned two of the jetliners used in the attacks, several airport security firms and Continental Airlines, whose Newark, N.J., terminal allegedly played a role.

United Airlines, owner of the other two planes, was excluded as a defendant because of bankruptcy proceedings.