The government is hoping to raise $24m through the sale, to fund new homes, schools and clinics for the country's poorest citizens.

President Chavez said there was no justification for keeping the planes, which are routinely used by Venezuelan officials for private trips.

Since taking office, Mr Chavez has promised to curb the excesses of top civil servants, whom he's accused of squandering millions of dollars of tax-payers' money on unnecessary trips, mobile telephones, bodyguards and chauffeur-driven cars.