A Number of Hurt as In-Flight Disturbance Impacts A Delta Airlines Plane into Sydney, Australia

A number of individuals were hurt when a Delta aircraft originating in Los Angeles to Sydney experienced significant turbulence Friday morning.

The flight, numbered 41 "experienced a brief period of turbulence" as it made its approach and landed at Sydney Airport, an airline spokesperson stated. A number of the onboard staff sustained injuries.

The New South Wales Ambulance Service said they assessed five individuals, and transferred a trio to hospital with minor injuries that such as back pain and headaches. The injured ranged from their 30s to 70s.

It is the newest example of aircraft encountering atmospheric disturbance, with researchers pointing out that climate change is a major factor.

There were 245 passengers and 15 crew members on the Airbus A350, the official noted, stating that the plane landed "without further incident" at Sydney Airport at shortly before 7 a.m. on Friday morning.

Paramedics reported they got a call just three minutes before the plane touched down, and ambulances were ready and waiting at the airport.

Why in-flight bumpiness is becoming increasingly prevalent - and more severe.

In the previous year, 25 people sustained injuries when a separate Delta aircraft, flying from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, hit "severe" atmospheric disturbance just two hours into the transoceanic journey, and diverted for an precautionary landing.

Recently, passengers and crew on a Singapore Airlines flight went through a harrowing five seconds period of extreme instability. An individual lost their life and many were hurt, as those without seatbelts rose out of their seats and fell back down.

Bumpy air is a common occurrence on aircraft journeys, and while occurrences of strong or severe turbulence are reportedly becoming more frequent, they are still very rare.

Research indicates that there are an estimated 5,000 incidents of severe or worse turbulence every year, out of a total of in excess of 35 million aircraft departures that now take off globally.

Severe turbulence is defined as when the up and down movements of a plane experiencing disturbed air generate greater than 1.5 times the force of gravity on your body - sufficient force to propel you from your seat if you weren't wearing a safety belt.

As a changing climate modifies atmospheric conditions, researchers alert that air travel could become bumpier: shifts in temperature and changing jet streams in the higher altitudes are projected to boost the occurrence and strength of severe turbulence.