A Number of Hurt as In-Flight Disturbance Strikes A Delta Airlines Aircraft Arriving in Sydney

Multiple passengers and crew were hurt when a Delta Airlines aircraft originating in Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia experienced rough air Friday morning.

The flight, numbered 41 "went through a short bout of rough air" as it touched down at the Sydney airport, a representative for the carrier informed. Four flight attendants were injured.

The New South Wales Ambulance Service stated they treated a total of five people, and transported a trio to hospital with minor injuries that such as spinal discomfort and headaches. Those affected ranged from their 30s to 70s.

The event represents the newest example of aircraft being hit by atmospheric disturbance, with aviation specialists pointing out that climate change is a key driver.

The aircraft was carrying 245 passengers and fifteen staff members on the aircraft, the representative added, stating that the plane arrived "safely and normally" at Sydney Airport at shortly before 7 a.m. on the day in question.

Emergency responders reported they received a call just three minutes before the plane landed, and ambulances were standing by on the runway.

The reasons turbulence is growing more frequent - and potentially more dangerous.

Last year, two dozen individuals were injured when another Delta jet, flying from Salt Lake City, Utah to Amsterdam, encountered "considerable" atmospheric disturbance just 120 minutes into the transoceanic journey, and had to make an precautionary landing.

Recently, travelers and staff on a Singapore Airlines flight went through a frightening short but intense of severe turbulence. An individual lost their life and dozens were injured, as unbelted passengers were thrown from their seats and crashed back down.

In-flight turbulence is a common occurrence while flying, and while instances of rough conditions seem to be rising, they are statistically infrequent.

Research indicates that there are around five thousand cases of severe-or-greater turbulence each year, out of a total of over 35 million aircraft departures that are conducted globally.

Intense turbulence is defined as when the sudden jolts of a plane going through rough air masses generate in excess of 1.5g-force on your body - enough to throw you from your seat if you weren't wearing a safety belt.

As climate change shifts weather patterns, experts warn that flying could become less smooth: warming trends and changing jet streams in the jet stream level are likely to boost the frequency and intensity of dangerous in-flight bumps.