Prague  - The Czech government Monday gave the green light to plans to sell state-owned Prague Airport to a strategic partner by the end of next year, officials said Monday.

The centre-right cabinet of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek expects to make at least 100 billion koruny (6.2 billion dollars) on the sale, the government has said.

The cabinet also asked the Ministry of Finance to pick a chief consultant for the privatization.

The Prague Ruzyne airport is the second largest in central Europe after Vienna. The company said it saw its net profit grow by 14 per cent in 2007 to 1.11 billion koruny (68.6 million dollars).

According to earlier reports, potential bidders include Czech and Slovak investment groups as well as foreign airport operators such as Abertis Infraestructuras, Hochtief Airports, Flughafen Wien or Aeroports de Paris.

The airport, which is currently served by over 50 carriers flying passengers to 124 destinations, is one of the few remaining Czech state-owned companies awaiting privatization such as Budvar brewery or Czech Airlines. (dpa)