A Number of Affected as Turbulence Strikes A Delta Airlines Plane Arriving in Sydney, Australia

A number of individuals sustained injuries after a Delta Airlines jet traveling from LA to Sydney, Australia encountered significant turbulence Friday morning.

The flight, numbered 41 "went through a short bout of rough air" as it landed at Sydney Airport, an airline spokesperson stated. A number of the onboard staff were injured.

Local paramedics reported they treated five patients, and took a trio to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries that comprised spinal discomfort and headaches. Those affected ranged from their 30s to 70s.

It is the most recent case of commercial jets encountering atmospheric disturbance, with researchers indicating that shifting climate patterns is a significant contributor.

The aircraft was carrying 245 passengers and 15 crew members on the Airbus A350, the official noted, adding that the plane landed "safely and normally" at the airport at 06:48 local time on Friday.

Paramedics said they were alerted just a mere three minutes before the plane touched down, and ambulances were ready and waiting at the airport.

Why plane turbulence is becoming increasingly prevalent - and often stronger.

In the previous year, two dozen individuals sustained injuries when a Delta Airlines flight, on a route from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, encountered "significant" atmospheric disturbance just two hours into the long-haul flight, and diverted for an precautionary landing.

Recently, those on board on a Singapore Airlines flight went through a frightening five seconds of severe turbulence. An individual died and many were hurt, as individuals not fastened in lifted out of their seats and fell back down.

In-flight turbulence is fairly routine during flights, and while instances of strong or severe turbulence seem to be rising, they are still very rare.

Estimates show that there are around 5,000 incidents of severe-or-greater turbulence every year, out of a total of over 35 million flights that are conducted around the world.

Strong atmospheric disturbance is defined as when the vertical motions of a plane going through unstable air exert more than 1.5g-force on your body - enough to lift you out of your seat if you did not have on a restraint.

As global warming alters weather patterns, experts warn that commercial aviation could become bumpier: warming trends and shifting wind patterns in the higher altitudes are likely to heighten the occurrence and strength of dangerous in-flight bumps.