Narrative:

Approaching MMMX we began to show weather on the aircraft radar. Wsi was only giving us radar for the conus (continental/contiguous us); not mexico. Experienced delay vectors and speed reduction during arrival. Turned toward airport and observed thunderstorms building near airport. As we continued to the approach; the weather continued to move toward airport. We made the decision to discontinue the approach and announced to MMMX tower that we were going around and would need to turn north. Tower approved turn and issued frequency change. On the new frequency we received carrier only; no voice. Acquired new frequency and made contact with mexico approach.received holding instructions and entered hold. Severe weather moved onto holding fix so we requested different hold location. Went to new fix and entered hold. While holding; we messaged dispatch to compute fuel. Received fuel computations from dispatch and made plan for holding. Was informed that MMMX would be closed for about 2 hours. Asked approach control for clearance to our alternate. They would not issue clearance to our alternate stating that it was 'full' and could not take us. Discussed other divert options but available were too far away and viable were also denied as 'full'. We [advised ATC] and insisted on clearance to our alternate. ATC denied the request. The only airport within our fuel range that ATC would issue clearance to was ZZZZ. Diverted to ZZZZ and landed visually. Coordinated with dispatch to refuel and continue to MMMX. Were released and flew to MMMX uneventfully. Found out the next day that maintenance in MMMX had discovered hail damage on aircraft. Walk around preflight was performed at ZZZZ but no hail damage was noted. Ramp was dark (used flashlight) and it was raining during preflight.communications were severely hampered by ATC saturation/workload combined with the language differences and ATC radio function. Even after [advising]; ATC refused to issue clearance to our alternate.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A319 First Officer reported hesitation from ATC to provide clearance to a suitable alternate when the airport would be closed for a lengthy period of time.

Narrative: Approaching MMMX we began to show weather on the aircraft radar. WSI was only giving us radar for the CONUS (Continental/Contiguous US); not Mexico. Experienced delay vectors and speed reduction during arrival. Turned toward airport and observed thunderstorms building near airport. As we continued to the approach; the weather continued to move toward airport. We made the decision to discontinue the approach and announced to MMMX Tower that we were going around and would need to turn north. Tower approved turn and issued frequency change. On the new frequency we received carrier only; no voice. Acquired new frequency and made contact with Mexico Approach.Received holding instructions and entered hold. Severe weather moved onto holding fix so we requested different hold location. Went to new fix and entered hold. While holding; we messaged Dispatch to compute fuel. Received fuel computations from Dispatch and made plan for holding. Was informed that MMMX would be closed for about 2 hours. Asked Approach Control for clearance to our alternate. They would not issue clearance to our alternate stating that it was 'full' and could not take us. Discussed other divert options but available were too far away and viable were also denied as 'full'. We [advised ATC] and insisted on clearance to our alternate. ATC denied the request. The only airport within our fuel range that ATC would issue clearance to was ZZZZ. Diverted to ZZZZ and landed visually. Coordinated with Dispatch to refuel and continue to MMMX. Were released and flew to MMMX uneventfully. Found out the next day that Maintenance in MMMX had discovered hail damage on aircraft. Walk around preflight was performed at ZZZZ but no hail damage was noted. Ramp was dark (used flashlight) and it was raining during preflight.Communications were severely hampered by ATC saturation/workload combined with the language differences and ATC radio function. Even after [advising]; ATC refused to issue clearance to our alternate.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.