Back to newsBack to news  |  30th May 2025

From the winding streets of Zagreb to the steady rhythm of life in West Sussex, Tanja Loncar’s journey to Skytrail is as thoughtful and grounded as the work she does every day behind the scenes.

As Finance and Administration Manager, she’s the linchpin between sales, operations, customers, and suppliers – ensuring Skytrail’s commercial engine runs without a hitch. But how did someone with a background in literature and languages end up managing the numbers behind the scenes in aviation?

From Languages to Ledgers

“I grew up in Croatia,” Tanja explains. “After school, I went to the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Humanities and Social Studies, and studied Russian and French literature and language.”

It was a far cry from the aviation industry, but her first job after graduating brought her into travel: working as a ground rep and guide for a travel company. That early experience set the course for a career rooted in tourism and logistics.

“After moving to the UK, I stayed in the travel sector,” she says. “Eventually, I relocated from London to West Sussex and started working at Golden Holidays – that’s what led me to Skytrail.”

A Trusted Pair of Hands

Today, Tanja’s role is all about keeping the books balanced and the business flowing. “My main responsibilities involve making sure the correct payments are received, the right invoices go to customers, and our suppliers are paid on time. I also deal with queries from both customers and suppliers.”

That might sound straightforward, but in practice, it requires constant coordination and communication with other teams.

“I work very closely with sales and operations,” she adds. “It’s about always having visibility of what fixtures are coming and anticipating workload. Being aligned is essential to keeping everything running smoothly.”

Building Processes and Trust

Tanja’s proudest achievement at Skytrail? “Building the finance side from scratch,” she says. “There was no precedent for the processes we now have in place.”

It’s a testament to her methodical mindset and steady approach – qualities that also helped her tackle one of her biggest challenges.

“Earning the trust of our biggest supplier, easyJet, took time. I overcame that by being patient and persistent, and by making sure every piece of data I presented was accurate and reliable.”

That attention to detail and consistency has paid off, not just in the relationships she’s built but in the systems she’s helped create.

Leadership with Heart

When it comes to her leadership style, Tanja keeps things simple: “Firm but fair. I have high standards, but I’m always looking to pass on my experience and knowledge to help others work more efficiently.”

Though she may lead with precision, her warmth shines through in how she describes life at Skytrail.

“I love that I’m trusted and allowed to work independently. My dedication is appreciated. I feel looked after, and I love working with our small, experienced team – especially the banter! There’s a lot of flexibility, and I feel like a human, not a number.”

Life Outside the Ledger

Away from spreadsheets and supplier calls, Tanja is a keen cook and baker, while she also enjoys unwinding with a good book. With her children now grown up and moved out, family time is all the more precious when it happens.

And for those considering a path into finance or aviation administration?

“Have a deep understanding of your product and your customers and suppliers. Be detail-oriented, patient, and flexible. Things change quickly, so the ability to adapt and problem-solve is essential.”

Tanja may work quietly in the background, but her presence is vital to everything Skytrail achieves. Her blend of diligence, diplomacy, and dry humour is exactly what keeps the wheels turning — and the numbers adding up.

Connect with Tanja on LinkedIn