A Number of Hurt as In-Flight Disturbance Strikes Delta Plane Arriving in Sydney, Australia

Multiple passengers and crew were hurt when a Delta Airlines jet traveling from LA to Sydney was hit by significant turbulence Friday morning.

Delta Flight 41 "experienced a brief period of turbulence" as it landed at the Sydney airport, an airline spokesperson told. Several cabin crew members sustained injuries.

Local paramedics stated they treated five patients, and took a trio to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries that such as back pain and headaches. Those affected ranged from their 30s to 70s.

The event represents the newest example of commercial jets encountering severe turbulence, with researchers pointing out that global warming is a key driver.

There were nearly 250 travelers and a crew of 15 on the wide-body jet, the representative said, stating that the plane arrived "safely" at the airport at 06:48 local time on the day in question.

Emergency responders reported they got a call just only 180 seconds prior to the plane arrived, and emergency vehicles were ready and waiting at the airport.

Why plane turbulence is growing increasingly prevalent - and potentially more dangerous.

Last year, twenty-five passengers and crew sustained injuries when a Delta Airlines flight, travelling from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, experienced "severe" atmospheric disturbance just a couple of hours into the lengthy trip, and diverted for an emergency landing.

Recently, travelers and staff on a Singapore Airlines jet endured a frightening five seconds of severe turbulence. An individual passed away and dozens were injured, as unbelted passengers rose out of their seats and were slammed back.

In-flight turbulence is a common occurrence while flying, and while occurrences of significant turbulence appear to be increasing, they are remained quite uncommon.

Data suggests that there are an estimated thousands of instances of significant in-flight disturbance every year, out of a overall number of in excess of 35 million aircraft departures that currently occur around the world.

Intense turbulence is categorized as when the sudden jolts of a jet passing through rough air masses apply in excess of a significant G-force on your body - enough to throw you from your seat if you weren't wearing a restraint.

As global warming shifts the conditions in the sky, specialists caution that air travel could become bumpier: temperature changes and changing jet streams in the upper atmosphere are likely to heighten the frequency and intensity of significant turbulence.