Czech Republic privatises CSA. - The Czech government has officially launched its plan to privatise national carrier Czech Airlines (CSA), which is expected to fetch up to 5 billion crowns ($241.8 million), by September. The prime minister, Mirek Topolanek, announced that the state, which had a 92% stake in the airline would be organising a call for tenders in two rounds. In the first, candidates will have to submit guarantees for maintaining the national airline status of CSA and its hub at the airport in Prague. In the second, the main criterion will be financial. In the first half of 2008, CSA made a profit of 406 million crowns. The Russian airline Aeroflot and the Czech company travel Service have already demonstrated an interest in CSA. (I.L./transl.rh)