I don't understand this. If I start in CAI, I still get the 4 internal flights in Europe/ME, right? Obviously I need to use this allowance of 4 to get in and out of CAI, although I can finish anywhere in ME, not necessarily in CAI.
Yes plus there are restrictions on the number of long flights to/from London within Europe. But CAI is served by QR and RJ as well. The QR option doesn't appear if you try to start your journey at CAI because QR aren't willing to take ticketing responsibility.