Marketplace Morning Report – February 11, 2026

Episode Summary: Flights Suspended as Cuba Faces Fuel Crisis

Main Theme

This episode focuses on two key economic stories:

1. The acute fuel crisis in Cuba and its impact on tourism, sparked by a U.S.-led blockade and leading to widespread flight suspensions.
2. The rapidly growing global market for electric motorbikes, with industry leaders and new riders weighing in on challenges and opportunities.

1. Cuba’s Aviation Fuel Crisis: Air Travel Halted

(00:52–03:21)

Key Points

• Severe Shortages: Cuba is experiencing its worst fuel crisis in decades, causing major disruptions—particularly in aviation.
• Flight Suspensions: Air Canada canceled all flights to Cuba due to the inability to refuel in Havana. Other international airlines are closely monitoring the situation.
• Impact on Tourism and Daily Life: Tourism, the lifeblood of Cuba’s economy, is hit hardest. Around 3,000 Canadian tourists are still in the country and are being ferried home.
• Roots of the Crisis: The crisis is driven by U.S. efforts—initiated under the Trump administration—to impose an oil blockade, with the White House threatening tariffs on any country supplying oil to Havana.
• Wider Effects: Rationing now extends to cars, public transport, and even health services; only half a tank of fuel is allowed, and cash payments are increasingly restricted to U.S. dollars.
• Atmosphere on the Ground: The mood is bleak, with ordinary Cubans waiting for hours in vain for fuel tankers.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Local Perspective (01:36):
  Guy Kilty, quoting a Cuban resident:
  “I've spent two hours waiting for the fuel tanker to arrive and no sign of it.”
• Bleak Prognosis (02:34):
  Will Grant, BBC correspondent:
  “It is a very, very bleak picture on the island right now.”

Timestamps

• [00:52] – Guy Kilty introduces Cuba’s fuel shortages and the tourism fallout
• [01:57] – Will Grant details the economic and social impact, and the political context
• [03:21] – Segue to financial update

2. The Expanding Electric Motorbike Market

(04:16–07:54)

Key Points

• Rising Sales & New Entrants: Global electric motorbike sales grew 7% in the first half of 2025. While dominated by Chinese and Indian firms, major brands like Honda and Royal Enfield are entering the market.
• Models and Strategies:
  • Honda is launching its WN7, a high-powered electric bike, globally this year.
  • Royal Enfield plans to release “Flying Flea” electrics focused on "City Plus" usage.
• Market Dynamics & Barriers:
  • Entry by mainstream manufacturers could be a tipping point for mass adoption.
  • Range and battery technology are critical for broader appeal.
  • Price remains a significant hurdle—Honda’s WN7 is priced at $17,000, at the high end of its category.
• Generational Change: Younger riders are seen as instrumental in driving the shift towards EV bikes due to their familiarity with digital and green tech.
• Consumer Perspectives:
  • Munir Kazi, a young rider, is enthusiastic and ready to “embrace the future.”
  • Mohammed Sheikh, a veteran biker, is nostalgic for classic features like engine noise but would be swayed by affordability.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Industry Perspective (04:45):
  Andrew Mineko, Honda UK:
  “Once a mainstream manufacturer enters the market, then it will kind of break the glass ceiling.”
• Industry Association Outlook (05:19):
  Tony Campbell, Motorcycle Industry Association:
  "We'll start to see more battery electric, bigger bikes finding their way into leisure motorcycling ... The world's changing and I think we will also see other new technologies."
• Young Rider’s View (06:11):
  Munir Kazi, test-rider:
  “Everything feels good on it. I want to know how it rides without the engine noise, without the gear, without the clutches ... Embrace the future. It's going that way.”
• Veteran Rider’s View (06:28):
  Mohammed Sheikh:
  “I think I'm going to miss the engine noise, the feel of the clutch, the rattle of the chain.”
  On converting: “If you lower the price, then I probably would consider it.”
• Company Strategy (07:29):
  Matt Cardenas, Royal Enfield:
  “We can't have a one size fits all strategy. … You need something that is good enough to run around day to day, but then to get you outside of the city ... to the beach, or ... into the mountains.”

Timestamps

• [04:16] – Elizabeth Hodgson on the explosion of the electric motorbike market
• [04:45] – Honda’s Andrew Mineko on big brands changing the landscape
• [05:19] – Tony Campbell on the coming rise of electric leisure bikes
• [06:02] – Munir Kazi & Mohammed Sheikh discuss hands-on impressions
• [06:59] – Royal Enfield’s electrification approach

3. Other Business Headlines

(03:21–04:16)

• Heineken: Shares are up 5% after reporting increases in annual operating profit, amid simultaneous job cuts (5,000–6,000 globally).
• China’s Consumer Inflation: Rose just 0.2% from a year prior, below expectations.
• Harrods Scandal: 180+ survivors of abuse claims involving Mohamed Al Fayed have sought compensation; ~50 have received payments.

Conclusion

This episode offers a snapshot of major international economies in flux—Cuba’s acute fuel crisis threatens the tourism sector and daily life, while the electric motorbike sector stands poised for transformation, as both industry titans and a new generation of riders push towards electrification. The mood is one of grim struggle in Havana but cautious optimism and innovation in the EV market.

Produced by: Neil Morrow & Elizabeth Hodgson
Host: Guy Kilty (BBC World Service for Marketplace)