People should be told exactly who is operating their flight if it is different to the one selling the ticket. FlyBE inform you when Loganair or Stobart fly the flight so you know who is operating it. I think VLM will be the same. Interestingly when you buy a NCL STN flight it's listed as a Loganair flight, but it's actually BMI regional branded aircraft you'll be flying on.
People should have a right to see exactly what they're buying. If I bought a flight from the island, and it was subbed to a dodgy operator who shall remain nameless, I'd stop the booking process and look elsewhere. If it came to light after booking, I'd cancel. No doubt the Ts and Cs would mean I couldn't get w refund, but I'd rather stay goodbye to the money than risk my safety.