So were a lot of expat gigs, especially the ones run by the Brits. They were well run, managed by leaders and made tolerable by a healthy compensation package and pleasant social climate fostered by said folks. Eventually, more and more local input and employees are instroduced. People are hired based on political connections rather than merit. The operation becomes less attractive to the original talent, more and more decision making is taken by local staff. Eventually, local nepotism forces out competent expat staff, airline becomes less efficient, less desirable and more hostile to foreigners. Foreigners leave, airline gors downhill, local staff can not maintain operation, hire expats again, but begrudgingly. Moral sucks, job sucks, time to move on to the next best thing. Repeat on every continent.