It depends on your passport .... like if you can apply for Norvegian, it's a pretty good option. Different bases and different packages.
You nailed it with the statement that the ME is the region where aviation is growing and just because it's almost the only part, they can do what they want. They take full advantage, it's supply and demand at its best and civilised behaviour at its worst.
If you want to be part of it, you have to suck up what's been described around here. If you don't, try Norvegian.