KIEV, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's state-run aircraft manufacturing company Antonov said on Monday that it plans to launch serial production of AN-158 passenger aircraft next year.

Olexandr Donets, head of Antonov, told local media outlet Liga.net that the manufacturing of the necessary components will take six to nine months.

Besides, the aircraft should undergo a modernization and the postmodernization tests, Donets said.

The AN-158 is a short-range plane capable of carrying up to 99 passengers.

The plane made its maiden flight in April 2010.

The market value of the plane is estimated at 30 million U.S. dollars.