Older passenger planes go to the secondary market and some get converted to cargo planes. The Airbus A321 converted freighter is the newbie to the market, but it's already generating big interest from leasing companies and operators. (www.freightwaves.com) さらに...
Within a radius of 2000 miles of Malta, all of Europe, most of North Africa, most of Scadinavia and parts of European Russia is within reach. That is a huge area.
There are fewer of them, getting old in the tooth. A321 more modern, can carry more palletized cargo. So seen as eventual replacement, but maybe sooner rather than later if trends continue.
Umm, have they looked at a map to see where Malta is located?