Several Affected as In-Flight Disturbance Impacts A Delta Airlines Plane Landing at Sydney

A number of individuals have been injured after a Delta flight originating in Los Angeles to Sydney was hit by turbulence this past Friday.

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

Emergency medical services reported they treated five individuals, and transferred three to hospital with minor injuries that included pain in the back and headaches. Those affected ranged from their thirties and seventies.

The event represents the latest incident of planes experiencing turbulence, with aviation specialists saying that climate change is a significant contributor.

There were 245 passengers and 15 crew members on the Airbus A350, the official added, adding that the plane touched down "safely" at Sydney Airport at 06:48 local time on Friday morning.

Emergency responders said they were alerted just only 180 seconds prior to the plane arrived, and response teams were waiting on the tarmac.

Why in-flight bumpiness is growing increasingly prevalent - and potentially more dangerous.

Last year, two dozen individuals sustained injuries when a separate Delta aircraft, on a route from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, hit "considerable" atmospheric disturbance just a couple of hours into the long-haul flight, and had to make an precautionary landing.

Earlier this year, those on board on a Singapore Airlines jet endured a harrowing short but intense period of extreme instability. A traveler died and numerous people sustained injuries, as those without seatbelts rose out of their seats and were slammed back.

Bumpy air is not uncommon while flying, and while instances of rough conditions appear to be increasing, they are remained quite uncommon.

Data suggests that there are approximately thousands of instances of significant in-flight disturbance every year, out of a total of over 35 million flights that currently occur globally.

Severe turbulence is categorized as when the vertical motions of a aircraft going through disturbed air generate greater than 1.5g-force on your body - sufficient force to throw you from your seat if you did not have on a restraint.

As global warming alters atmospheric conditions, experts warn that air travel could become more turbulent: warming trends and changing jet streams in the higher altitudes are likely to boost the frequency and intensity of severe turbulence.