NAC has a fleet of slightly more than 100 ATR regional-route aircraft and is the biggest operator in the world of the propellor-driven planes, ATR said.
Brazil's Embraer has also come up trumps with the launch of a new family of regional jets and dozens of orders.
This is a sign of an expected future trend of competition from manufacturers in emerging markets which are expected to generate much of the growth of passenger traffic The announcement came on the second day of the world's biggest air show, with competition between Boeing and its arch-rival Airbus heating up as the two giants vie for the spotlight, and smaller competitors make their presence felt.
"Boeing today officially launches the 787-10," Boeing head Jim McNerney told reporters, with commitments to buy the new aircraft from United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, and leasing firms ALC and GECAS.
The 787-10 is bigger than its two brothers in the fuel-efficient Dreamliner family, and Singapore Airlines and A