Multiple Hurt as Rough Air Strikes A Delta Airlines Flight Arriving in Sydney, Australia

A number of individuals sustained injuries when a Delta jet from Los Angeles to Sydney encountered rough air this past Friday.

Flight DL41 "encountered brief turbulence" as it landed at the Sydney airport, a representative for the carrier stated. Several cabin crew members required medical attention.

Local paramedics said they treated five individuals, and transported three of them to hospital with minor injuries that included spinal discomfort and migraines. Those affected ranged from their 30s to 70s.

The event represents the newest example of commercial jets experiencing severe turbulence, with experts indicating that global warming is a significant contributor.

The aircraft was carrying nearly 250 travelers and a crew of 15 on the wide-body jet, the official noted, clarifying that the plane touched down "without further incident" at Sydney Airport at shortly before 7 a.m. on the day in question.

Emergency responders said they got a call just only 180 seconds before the plane touched down, and response teams were waiting on the tarmac.

Why in-flight bumpiness is growing more frequent - and more severe.

Last year, 25 people were injured when a Delta Airlines flight, travelling from Salt Lake City, Utah to Amsterdam, experienced "significant" atmospheric disturbance just 120 minutes into the lengthy trip, and had to make an emergency landing.

Recently, passengers and crew on a Singapore Airlines jet endured a frightening five seconds period of extreme instability. An individual passed away and dozens were injured, as those without seatbelts lifted out of their seats and were slammed back.

In-flight turbulence is a common occurrence while flying, and while instances of strong or severe turbulence appear to be increasing, they are still very rare.

Data suggests that there are an estimated 5,000 incidents of severe-or-greater turbulence each year, out of a sum of in excess of 35 million aircraft departures that currently occur globally.

Strong atmospheric disturbance is described as when the sudden jolts of a jet going through disturbed air exert more than 1.5g-force on your body - a strong enough force to lift you out of your seat if you were not fastened by a safety belt.

As a changing climate shifts weather patterns, specialists caution that air travel could become bumpier: temperature changes and shifting wind patterns in the higher altitudes are expected to increase the occurrence and strength of significant turbulence.