A319
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 178.08; Flight Crew Total 4578.52; Flight Crew Type 4578.52
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew FLC Overrode Automation
Human Factors; Aircraft
We had originally planned an ILS approach to RWY XX; but upon contacting Approach learned ZZZ was landing RWY XY. I rebriefed the VOR XY approach; noting the roughly 30 degree offset from the runway centerline. After being cleared out of FL240 at ZZZZZ for 3;000 [feet]; I engaged full speed brakes and disengaged autopilot to facilitate a more rapid descent. Approach put us on a vector after ZZZZZ1 to enable our continued descent; before eventually turning us to downwind. They attempted to clear us for a visual approach; but we requested the VOR approach due to unfamiliarity with ZZZ. Approach cleared us to an intercept heading and cleared us for the approach. In vicinity of ZZZZZ2 and 2;100 MSL; I engaged the APPROACH mode; received the brick; the stick; and two FMAs (which quickly resolved to FINAL APP). I had the VOR on the NAV display; while the Captain maintained the map view. The glide slope immediately directed a descent to stay on glide path; consistent with being inside ZZZZZ2. At approximately 1;300 MSL; ZZZ Tower notified us they showed us well below the glide path. I leveled off; directed the Captain to disengage; then reengage the APPROACH mode; and the system resolved to FINAL APP again; but showed us low. We continued on; but had difficulty in acquiring the field due to airfield lighting blending into cultural lighting. I leveled off; directed the Captain to ask the airport to increase lighting intensity; and we quickly picked up the field. I lined up on centerline and we landed uneventfully.
It was night; slightly overcast and an unfamiliar airport so we thoroughly briefed the arrival and approach (VOR XX). We were being vectored around the area to loose altitude. While being vectored; we were attempting to acquire visual contact with the airport. We were unable to confirm visual contact. We eventually accepted vectors to intercept the VOR XX at ZZZZZ; which was published at 2;100 ft. We intercepted the lateral and vertical path at 2;100 ft. and Approach said we were low. After recycling our APPR (approach switch); our guidance had us on the correct profile and we had acquired visual contact with Runway XX. We continued the approach to an uneventful landing on Runway XX.
Flight Crew reported last minute runway change on a requested VOR approach and low on FAF due to lack of familiarity with airport.