The Weather Research and Forecasting-Chemistry (WRFChem) model was used to develop an operational air quality forecast system for the Metropolitan Area of Lima-Callao (MALC), Peru, that is affected by high particulate matter concentrations episodes. In this work, we describe the implementation of an operational air quality-forecasting platform to be used in the elaboration of public policies by decision makers, and as a research tool to evaluate the formation and transport of air pollutants in the MALC. To examine the skills of this new system, an air pollution event in April 2016 exhibiting unusually elevated PM2.5 concentrations was simulated and compared against in situ air quality measurements. In addition, a Model Output Statistic (MOS) algorithm has been developed to improve outputs of inhalable particulate matter (PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the WRF-Chem model. ...