I see your point in fact in retrospect such behaviour exists in many cultures and organisations as you said.
However I do feel that the option to offer constructive criticism may be compromised by local tradition rather than by the personality of one,s superior, after all most of our managers have no safety net either . Just a thought .
The cost control is of course sensible , but proactive behaviour i.e earning more revenue must be the main goal , it is true to say as others have said before , crews are at their limits in terms of fatigue, there is no more juice in the lemon., and market forces beckon.
Interesting regarding the lowly budget allocation , anxiety or lack of trust ? who knows: and the long term view aspect, or lack of it ,is a very good point . Shareholders in the form of the Govt. of Dubai may be just as anxious for profit on a quarterly basis ? what say.