Qantas’ chief executive is back at work following a 10-day cancer surgery recovery period, at home, that is.

For the last week and a half, Alan Joyce was running the Australian airline from his home in Sydney after undergoing surgery to treat prostate cancer. Experts say his efforts come amid one of the most difficult periods the carrier has seen in years as strikes commence and fuel costs are sky-high.

Joyce said to the Herald Sun regarding the current state of the airline that there was ‘a lot happening’ and that he had been on the phone quite a bit with senior managers, who are currently being led by Gareth Evans, the airline’s chief financial officer.

Prior to the surgery, airline officials had been tight-lipped regarding Joyce’s illness, which was reportedly only known amongst a few top execs and the Qantas board itself. But now that the surgery is complete and Joyce is again involved in day-to-day decision-making, it’s known that he has been away from the office for some three weeks.

Speculators first became aware of his absence when the airline issued an official statement regarding the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association’s planned strike on Friday. Joyce is normally the sole voice in regards to such responses.

Joyce said to the Business Daily on Monday that he expects to be back in the office early next week and proclaimed that he felt ‘absolutely perfect’.