This is the terrifying moment panicked passengers sobbed as their plane hit a patch of turbulence.

Travellers on AirAsia flight Z2613 screamed in terror as their aircraft suffered heavy turbulence minutes away from landing at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao province in the Philippines on December 8.

Footage shows the cabin of the Airbus A320 single-aisle jet shaking as frightened women began wailing in their seats.

Passenger Justine Imperial said: 'We were all worried, but when the plane stabilised, the cabin crew immediately went to check on us.

'Most of the older people were scared, especially those flying with kids.'

Turbulence is a worrying phenomenon for passengers and may cause injuries if they are flung from their seats for large objects are not stored securely in the hat racks.

However, turbulence - which is often caused by shifts in airflow or bad weather - is yet to cause a plane crash in modern aviation and pilots a well-trained to handle the rough weather.