The following can safely be said: Atlantic Star Airlines' statements have been grossly misleading:
ATLANTIC STAR AIRLINES GAINS REGULATORY APPROVAL
Atlantic Star Airlines (‘A-Star’) is pleased to announce approval for its 2016 UK to St.Helena charter flight programme.
The commercial permission granted to A-Star
as Atlantic Star Airlines Limited do neither hold a Tour Operator Certificate nor an Air Travel Organisers Licence. Amazing this is being tolerated or even condoned. It is now evident as per above posting this is a charter programme the company Travelpack Marketing and Leisure Services Ltd in London-Wembley (Travelpack) is offering. Travelpack is the charterer and contractual partner of passengers as well as of the operating carrier TUI Fly Netherlands.
Atlantic Star Airlines Limited is – strictly legally – only a marketing partner. This means, the authorities can only grant regulatory approval to the charterer Travelpack and the operating carrier TUI Fly Netherlands, but not Atlantic Star Airlines Limited. If something goes wrong Atlantic Star Airlines Limited cannot be held liable. Of course we wish all involved good luck but passengers clearly need to know whom they are dealing with before they book.
Well, we have to wait and see the 'small print' and 'Terms and Conditions'.of Travelpack. There could be additional ambiguities there. It is unclear if payments for the 'Priority Club' will go to Atlantic Star or Travelpack.
More about Travelpack can be found on their website, Google, Trip Advisor, Companies House and CAA .ATOL Search Results.