On the Ramp in Tivat with Simona Skanata

Sitting between the Adriatic Sea and the mountains, Tivat is one of those airports that leaves an impression before passengers even step off the aircraft. For Simona Skanata, Euro Jet’s Station Manager in Tivat and last year’s Agent of the Year, it is both home territory and a daily exercise in timing, teamwork, and multitasking. In this interview, Simona reflects on growing up around aviation, explains how the team manages the summer rush, and introduces the people behind the operation. She also shares a few personal tips on what to see, taste, and enjoy when visiting Montenegro.

Simona, you come from a family of aviators. Did you always know that aviation would become your career path?

I would not say it was clear from the beginning. Of course, aviation was always present in our home. My dad has been in this field for a very long time, and ever since I can remember, there were aircraft drawings and flight-related documents around us. The influence was there, but my interests were quite broad, from music and art to languages.

Then I started working at the airport during the summer. After a brief seasonal position, I joined Euro Jet, and now, twelve years later, I am still here.

From starting as a seasonal worker to becoming Euro Jet’s Station Manager in Tivat, what has kept you in aviation?

Aviation gets into your blood. When people hear the word aviation, they often think only of airplanes, but it is much broader than that. It is an international environment where you meet different cultures, mentalities, and generations, all working together. That diversity is fascinating, and no two days are ever the same.

What I really like is the unpredictability. No matter how experienced or prepared you are, there is always something new to learn or a new skill to develop. Every day teaches you something. You learn from the crews, from your colleagues, and from your customers, so you have to stay open and curious.

It sounds like the people you work with are a big part of what makes aviation special.

Yes, definitely. We all need each other, in business and in life, and I think aviation reminds you of that every day. The human connection and the relationships you build are very important.

There is no greater satisfaction than when a customer remembers you for great service and recognizes you again the next time they come. And of course, the team I work with here in Tivat is a huge part of it, too. In this job, you rely on each other constantly, so having a good team around you makes all the difference.

Can you introduce us to your team in Tivat?

Of course. There is my father, Darko, who we have already mentioned. He is like a teacher and a coach to us all. He is old school in the best sense of the word, and his experience contributes greatly to the quality of our work.

Then we have Dejan, who is a very positive person, and that positivity is much appreciated, especially in stressful situations. One interesting fact about him is that he owns an old family mill and produces olive oil.

And then there is Iva, who is the youngest member of the team and joins us during the busy summer season. Despite being the youngest, I would say she is the most responsible. She is always the person reminding us not to forget important details.

Euro Jet’s Montenegro team also includes colleagues in Podgorica. How closely do you work with them?

We work quite closely, especially when the situation requires coordination between Tivat and Podgorica. Danilo Rakocevic, our Country Manager, is based there, and he is always ready to come and help when we need support in Tivat. We also cooperate on organizational matters, for example the renovation of our crew lounge, which is happening at the moment.

Dmitar, our Ground Service Coordinator in Podgorica, is a valued colleague who was already part of the team when I joined and has always been willing to share his knowledge and experience. I know many customers appreciate working with him, and we are often in touch when we need to coordinate flights or exchange information.

Tell us more about your role as Station Manager. What does the job involve on a daily basis?

When the traffic increases, there is a lot to manage. My day can include answering calls and emails, coordinating services, organizing the team, taking care of customers’ needs, meeting with airport representatives, and communicating with different departments.

And then, of course, there are always ad hoc issues that can arise at any moment, so you need to stay flexible and focused. It is a very dynamic role, and good organization is only possible with strong teamwork.

What would you say is the biggest challenge of your role?

Time! Everything revolves around it – schedules, slots, landing time, pickup time, catering delivery, takeoff time. In this job, it is all about managing time.

If you cannot organize yourself and keep up, whether that means completing tasks on time or responding quickly enough, then it can become your biggest challenge. You have to be able to prioritize, react fast, and stay calm even when everything is moving at once.

Let’s talk a little more about Tivat Airport itself. For someone who has never landed there, how would you describe it?

The first thing that makes Tivat Airport unique is its location. There is sea on one side and mountains on the other, so the approach is truly beautiful. Very often, when customers land in Tivat, they are simply breathless because of the views. The proximity to the waterfront is also useful from a service perspective. There is a water terminal right next to the airport, and we sometimes use it to transport passengers by boat directly to their hotel, avoiding road traffic.

In 2025, Tivat Airport handled 1.3 million passengers, and the continuous growth means that investment in infrastructure is very important. The airport is currently undergoing renovations, also in preparation for the EU-Western Balkans Summit taking place in Tivat at the beginning of June, when the airport wants to present itself well and deliver quality service.

When customers arrive in Tivat, what kind of support can Euro Jet provide on the ground?

We can coordinate a wide range of services, depending on what the crew and passengers need. This includes hotel accommodation for the crew, transportation for both passengers and crew, fuel, catering, and permit coordination. During the summer, transportation can be especially important because road traffic can get very congested, so we always try to find the most efficient option.

We also have a crew lounge at the airport, where customers can rest or work between flights. It will soon be fully redesigned and offer an even more comfortable space.

What kind of customers do you usually welcome to Tivat? Are most of them coming for holidays, or do you also see business traffic?

It is a real mix. We welcome business travelers, diplomatic flights, and of course many people arriving for leisure. The biggest attraction is the beauty of our country, and many customers come here to enjoy the coast, nature, and hospitality.

At the same time, there is also a lot of event-related travel. Tivat is constantly developing, and there is always something new happening. We have famous music stars, athletes, and guests coming for concerts, business gatherings, and forums.

Is the traffic mostly seasonal, or is Tivat becoming active throughout the year as well?

Summer is still the busiest period, so seasonality is certainly there. But more and more events are now taking place outside the main season, and the goal for the local community is to extend the season as much as possible and make Tivat a year-around destination.

Even in winter, we have many sunny days without strong wind or snow, so it can be very pleasant. There are also activities for families and children, for example around Halloween or Christmas, which gives people more reasons to come, stay, and enjoy Tivat outside the traditional summer months.

You are now heading into what is expected to be a very busy summer season. How do you prepare for it, and what should customers arriving in Tivat over the next few months keep in mind?

We more or less jump right into it and do not stop until autumn. The summer season is very dynamic, and it also gets incredibly hot, so we have to be ready for both the traffic and the working conditions. Preparation is really about staying organized, communicating well, and being flexible when needed.

The biggest challenge of the season is always parking. The airport’s location between the sea and the mountains is very attractive, but it also means space is limited. If a customer wants to stay longer, we always try to find the best possible parking solution. Sometimes we can arrange it in Tivat, and sometimes we cooperate with our colleagues at nearby airports that have more space. Dubrovnik is always a good backup and an excellent repositioning option. Other alternates include Podgorica and Belgrade. We have a great relationship with teams in all these locations, and we keep each other informed about our flights. This is where the Euro Jet network is really useful.

Let’s move to the destination itself. What would you recommend people see in Montenegro when they come for a visit?

Montenegro is becoming increasingly popular, and although it is a small country, that is actually one of its biggest advantages. You can swim in the sea and then, an hour later, go hiking in the mountains.

The Kotor cable car is definitely something I would recommend. It starts near Kotor, which is a beautiful historic town, and takes you up to Lovcen Mountain, one of the best places to watch the sunset. At the top of the mountain, you can also visit the Njegos Mausoleum, dedicated to Petar II Petrovic-Njegos, who was a ruler, philosopher, and poet, and a very important figure in Montenegrin history and identity.

Our mountains are beautiful, covered in snow in winter and ideal for hiking from spring onwards. Durmitor National Park with its glacial lakes is another must-see. And then, when you come down to the sea, the colors are incredible – deep shades of blue and green, surrounded by pine trees and mountains. That combination of sea and mountains is what makes Montenegro so special.

There are also many charming coastal towns to explore. Kotor is full of history, museums, old streets, young musicians, and ancient walls climbing up the mountain around the old town. Perast is another gem, a wonderfully preserved stone town with restaurants overlooking the water and the islands of Saint George and Our Lady of the Rocks. Tivat, on the other hand, is a blend of modern and traditional. With Porto Montenegro and the development of luxury marinas, the city has become very lively, with festivals, regattas, music events, food and fashion shows. There is always something happening.

How about your favorite local food and drink?

My favorite is my grandmother’s food. Many of her dishes are based on the plant chicory and similar green plants. You can mix boiled potatoes with chicory as a salad or combine cooked chicory with eggs or wild asparagus. Collard greens are also a traditional food, usually prepared with sausages and smoked meat.

To try something similar, you would either have to visit my grandmother or look for it in local restaurants. The waterfront restaurants in Perast are a great place for that. Grilled fish is also always a good choice here.

As for drinks, we have some excellent red wines. And then, like across the Balkans, we have the tradition of making homemade rakija. You make it in your backyard, and when there is new rakija, the neighbors have to come and try it.

It all sounds delicious. A couple of final questions about you. How do you like spending time when you are not working at the airport?

I like to keep my body active. Nature is very important to me, and I spend a lot of time outdoors. It inspires me, gives me energy, and teaches me by simply observing it. The world can be so complicated nowadays, and I think it is important to keep perspective and find balance. Nature helps with that.

I also love traveling – revisiting familiar places, especially in Italy, but also discovering new spots. Japan and Thailand are definitely on my travel bucket list.

Thank you so much for talking to us, Simona. One last question: what are your plans for the future?

The future is now. I like to be present. My plan is to keep learning, expand my skills both professionally and personally, and continue exploring new places. I am always happy to meet new people and learn from them. And I hope my future brings balance, new ideas, and many moments by the sea.

Images: Euro Jet Archive, Simona Skanata, Shutterstock