A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 151; Flight Crew Total 20000; Flight Crew Type 14000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Aircraft; Human Factors; Airport; Weather
Flight planned to operate an aircraft with APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) inoperative. ZZZ WX was moderate to severe icing; wind; snow. Night flight. ZZZ1 (an airport in mountainous terrain) was forecasting wind; snow; freezing precipitation; icing. I decided that this environment was not the time to be flying around without an APU. I called Dispatch; conferenced with [maintenance]; and refused the aircraft. I then contacted ZZZ [operations] and advised of the refusal; and suggested we start looking for an alternate aircraft. One was coordinated- we flight planned; loaded the pax (Passengers); and departed. Arrived ZZZ1 about 1 hour late. FO (First Officer) was included in my decision making process. I followed proper established procedure/ protocol for the refusal. I utilized company procedures to achieve a successful - and safe - resolution to the issue.
Flight Crew reported refusing an aircraft with an inoperative Auxiliary Power Unit due to anticipated severe weather.