B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Maintenance Action
Airport; Aircraft
I was dispatched to PVR with an inoperative APU. I was assured the PVR station would have electric and air available. Dispatch had ZZZ alternate and specifically states do NOT send aircraft to ZZZ without APU so I had amended release for ZZZ1 alternate. The ground power in PVR failed multiple times and ground air was marginally warm. The last time the electric failed was during the boarding process. The ground crew decided to get another power cart. This left us with a dark cabin and running on battery power for several minutes. Do we need to relearn our mistakes from the past? This aircraft NEVER should have been sent to a hot climate with an inoperative APU! I'm very disappointed in Flight Operations for allowing this to happen! DO NOT DISPATCH AIRCRAFT WITH INOPERATIVE APU to HOT AND HUMID climate service!
737 Captain reported aircraft with an inoperative APU was dispatched to a destination that was hot and humid and did not have auxiliary air or electric available.