Several Hurt as Turbulence Impacts A Delta Airlines Plane into Sydney

Several people were hurt following a Delta aircraft originating in Los Angeles to Sydney was hit by significant turbulence Friday morning.

Delta Flight 41 "went through a short bout of rough air" as it made its approach and landed at Sydney Airport, an airline spokesperson stated. A number of the onboard staff were injured.

Local paramedics reported they evaluated five individuals, and transported three to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries that such as back pain and head pain. The injured ranged from their 30s to 70s.

The event represents the most recent case of aircraft encountering severe turbulence, with experts pointing out that shifting climate patterns is a major factor.

The aircraft was carrying nearly 250 travelers and a crew of 15 on the aircraft, the official added, clarifying that the plane touched down "without further incident" at the airport at 6:48 a.m. local time on Friday morning.

Paramedics indicated they got a call just only 180 seconds before the plane arrived, and response teams were standing by on the runway.

Why plane turbulence is becoming more frequent - and often stronger.

During the past year, two dozen individuals were injured when a separate Delta aircraft, on a route from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, experienced "severe" rough air just 120 minutes into the transoceanic journey, and diverted for an precautionary landing.

Earlier this year, those on board on a Singapore Airlines flight endured a frightening brief five-second of severe turbulence. One passenger passed away and dozens were injured, as those without seatbelts were thrown from their seats and crashed back down.

Bumpy air is fairly routine on aircraft journeys, and while cases of strong or severe turbulence seem to be rising, they are still very rare.

Data suggests that there are approximately five thousand cases of severe or worse turbulence every year, out of a overall number of in excess of 35 million aircraft departures that are conducted worldwide.

Intense turbulence is described as when the up and down movements of a jet experiencing unstable air exert greater than a significant G-force on your body - sufficient force to throw you from your seat if you were not fastened by a seatbelt.

As a changing climate alters atmospheric conditions, specialists caution that air travel could become less smooth: temperature changes and shifting wind patterns in the higher altitudes are projected to heighten the frequency and intensity of dangerous in-flight bumps.