MD-82
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Diverted
Weather
Aircraft was scheduled to depart for MMMY with an alternate of ZZZ. Dispatch was contacted before departure to revise alternate to MMQT because of deteriorating weather in ZZZ. A takeoff alternate was also added. Paperwork for MMQT was received enroute. Approaching LRD we were contacted by Houston Center and advised that MMMY had gone below minimums. After discussion with both Dispatch and Houston Center on viable alternatives; we decided to proceed to of our alternate of MMQT. Enroute to MMQT we were contacted by Dispatch and told that MMQT was an unsuitable alternate. Dispatch recommended MMMX as our new alternate. We re-calculated our fuel; found we had enough fuel to safely make MMMX; and refiled to MMMX with Monterrey Center. Landed uneventfully at MMMX.Myself and the FO were made aware that our using MMMX as alternate did not sit well with the Mexican aviation authorities. The next morning it seemed that the MMMX station manager had smoothed over most of the issues with the Mexican authorities. I was asked to write a short explanation as to why we were there. Both the FO and I handed over copies of our badges; FAA licenses; and medicals.
An MD82 Captain describes the circumstances surrounding a weather diversion to MMMX and the problems this causes with the Mexican aviation authorities.