PRAGUE, September 11, 2008 (AFP) - Prague airport authorities said Thursday they planned to cut their workforce by about 10 percent starting in December ahead of privatisation.

'A detailed analysis has shown that certain positions are not needed for the airport's development,' said Eva Krejci, spokeswoman for Prague-Ruzyne International Airport.

The planned job cuts would affect about 240 people, she said.

'It's clear that this decision will increase the value of our company from the standpoint of potential investors,' said airport director Miroslav Dvorak.

Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek has said the airport, the busiest in eastern Europe, should not be sold for less than 100 billion koruna (4.0 billion euros, 5.5 billion dollars).

Local press reports have said the government of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek wants to sell the facility to a consortium of financial and strategic investors.

Among the potential buyers are a subsidiary of German construction group Hochtief, the Frankufurt airport operator Fraport, Albertis Airports of Spain, as well as several Czech and Slovak investment groups.