Several Affected as Rough Air Hits A Delta Airlines Plane Landing at Sydney, Australia

Several people were hurt after a Delta Airlines aircraft traveling from LA to Sydney, Australia encountered turbulence Friday morning.

The flight, numbered 41 "experienced a brief period of turbulence" as it made its approach and landed at Sydney Airport, an airline spokesperson stated. Four flight attendants were injured.

Emergency medical services said they treated a total of five people, and transferred three to the hospital with minor injuries that comprised pain in the back and migraines. Those affected ranged from their 30s up to the 70s.

The event represents the latest incident of aircraft being hit by turbulence, with researchers indicating that climate change is a key driver.

There were 245 passengers and fifteen staff members on the aircraft, the Delta spokesperson noted, clarifying that the plane touched down "safely and normally" at Sydney Airport at 6:48 a.m. local time on Friday.

Emergency responders indicated they were alerted just a mere three minutes before the plane landed, and response teams were ready and waiting at the airport.

Why plane turbulence is growing increasingly prevalent - and more severe.

Last year, 25 people were hurt when another Delta jet, travelling from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, hit "significant" atmospheric disturbance just two hours into the transoceanic journey, and was forced to make an precautionary landing.

Recently, passengers and crew on a Singapore Airlines flight endured a frightening short but intense period of extreme instability. A traveler died and numerous people sustained injuries, as those without seatbelts were thrown from their seats and were slammed back.

In-flight turbulence is not uncommon while flying, and while instances of rough conditions seem to be rising, they are remained quite uncommon.

Research indicates that there are approximately five thousand cases of significant in-flight disturbance annually, out of a total of over 35 million journeys that currently occur around the world.

Severe turbulence is described as when the vertical motions of a plane experiencing rough air masses exert in excess of a significant G-force on your body - a strong enough force to propel you from your seat if you weren't wearing a seatbelt.

As global warming alters weather patterns, specialists caution that commercial aviation could become less smooth: temperature changes and changing jet streams in the upper atmosphere are likely to increase the regularity and severity of significant turbulence.