I assume 99.95% of them to be garbage anyway.

The reality, as I see it, is this:

ll the middle east airlines are engaged in a mammoth pissing contest to be the biggest in the gulf.

All of them offer totally cut-throat fares if you transit through their home base. But no discounts if their home base is your destination. Then you pay full price.

In other words, transit through a Middle East airport for a bargain, or pay through your nse if that place is your final destination.

*** Light travels faster than sound. That's why most people appear bright until they open their mouths.