A tiny community has become Western Australia's first Aboriginal-owned airport operator after paying back a $6 million loan.

Federal politicians and industry leaders travelled to Djarindjin, 200 kilometres north of Broome, to celebrate the historic achievement.

Airport manager and Bardi man Kimberley Baird said his people had sent a powerful message to critics of Indigenous communities.

"Remote Aboriginal communities are always stereotyped, especially when it comes to money and management of funding," he said.

"They say we can't do it, this proves them wrong. We can manage, we can manage our own business."

When the airport was built in 2011 as a hub for oil and gas helicopters, the community entered into an agreement with Broome International Airport and secured a $6 million loan.

Partnerships with companies

Mr Baird said it was a daunting proposal, but residents were determined to pay the money back — which they did, with interest.

"That was a big weight on our shoulders but we were confident," he said.

The airport crew performs 'hot refuels' while the helicopters' engines are still running. ( ABC Kimberley: Matt Bamford )

"We paid it back at a rate of 75 per cent of our income and we were still able to survive."

It's a feat they were able to accomplish with partnerships from companies like Shell and Inpex who were operating oil and gas rigs offshore.

They wanted to establish a local team to service their multi-million dollar aircraft with 'hot refuels' which involves pumping hundreds of litres of fuel into the helicopters while their rotors whir overhead.

The process requires specialised workers with a high degree of skill.

Building up the workforce was not without its challenges, with communities in the region battling heavy drinking and drug use.

But leaders persisted and over the past six years Djarindjin has built a reputation for delivering a world-class service.

According to Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation chairman Brian Lee, the young men who make up the majority of the crews possess a sense of purpose that was absent 10 years ago.

"A lot of them now don't drink … and they're seen as role models. They now have dreams to develop themselves," he said.

Today, crews of about a dozen workers, all from nearby communities, can refuel up to 24 helicopters a day.

As federal politicians and industry representatives gathered outside the airport, the teams serviced the incoming aircraft as they arrived every 15 minutes.

Shouting above the whipping rotor blades, federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion said the initiative was an inspiration to communities across the country.

"That's the sound of an economy in a very remote community, of 20 workers doing some of the most incredible high risk work, that are completely trusted by one of the most heavily governed industries in the world.

"It's about leadership. Djarindjin have stood up and said 'we're prepared to train people who will turn up every day'," he said.

Sky the limit for children

Senators Patrick Dodson (second from left) and Nigel Scullion (right) travelled to Djarindjin for the celebrations. ( ABC Kimberley: Matt Bamford )

West Australian Senator Patrick Dodson said it showed the enormous potential of some of the most marginalised groups of people.

"In remote parts of Australia, positive things can happen with industry partnerships."

Senator Dodson said the model should be replicated elsewhere in regional areas.

"It's better if industry and the community can take the lead rather than going to governments first. I think it's a very positive model."

With oil and gas operations ramping up in the past 12 months, and the region hit by three cyclones since Christmas, the crews have been put through their paces.

Mr Lee said the community would have access to regular work for generations, with the offshore rigs expected to remain in operation for up to 60 years.

"The journey hasn't stopped, we've got the next 100 years to look forward to and it's not just for us it's for all those little kids running around, they're going to be our leaders and the decision makers in the future."

Mr Baird said the sky was the limit for children in the community and their career aspirations.

"We've even got the kids talking about flying helicopters," he said.