A Number of Injured as Turbulence Strikes Delta Plane into Sydney, Australia

A number of individuals were hurt when a Delta Airlines aircraft originating in LA to Sydney experienced rough air on Friday morning.

The flight, numbered 41 "experienced a brief period of turbulence" as it touched down at the Sydney airport, an airline spokesperson informed. Four flight attendants required medical attention.

Emergency medical services said they treated five individuals, and took three to hospital with minor injuries that included pain in the back and migraines. Those affected were between their thirties and seventies.

The event represents the newest example of aircraft encountering severe turbulence, with researchers indicating that shifting climate patterns is a key driver.

The aircraft was carrying 245 people and fifteen staff members on the wide-body jet, the official said, stating that the plane touched down "without further incident" at Sydney Airport at 06:48 local time on the day in question.

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

The reasons turbulence is getting more common - and often stronger.

Last year, two dozen individuals were injured when another Delta jet, on a route from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, Netherlands, hit "considerable" atmospheric disturbance just two hours into the transoceanic journey, and had to make an precautionary landing.

Recently, passengers and crew on a Singapore Airlines jet experienced a frightening short but intense bout of severe turbulence. A traveler lost their life and dozens were injured, as those without seatbelts lifted out of their seats and were slammed back.

Bumpy air is fairly routine on aircraft journeys, and while occurrences of significant turbulence appear to be increasing, they are remained quite uncommon.

Research indicates that there are approximately thousands of instances of severe-or-greater turbulence every year, out of a sum of in excess of 35 million flights that are conducted around the world.

Strong atmospheric disturbance is defined as when the up and down movements of a jet passing through disturbed air apply in excess of a significant G-force on your body - sufficient force to lift you out of your seat if you weren't wearing a restraint.

As climate change modifies weather patterns, researchers alert that air travel could become less smooth: shifts in temperature and changing jet streams in the upper atmosphere are projected to heighten the regularity and severity of severe turbulence.