The study presents a ground-breaking approach termed 'Intelligent Baggage Management in Airports,' which taps into the potential of the Cognitive Internet of Things (IoT). This technology permits precise real-time monitoring of luggage trajectories by combining RFID- and Bluetooth-enabled baggage tags with an elaborate sensor network. The proposed system allows more accurate tracking of the bags. Using a cognitive framework, the acquired data is processed and assessed thoroughly. Rapid and automatic alerts address deviations or bottlenecks in luggage routing, allowing airport workers to take fast and effective remedial steps. The developed smartphone application provides real-time information on the position of their luggage. The introduction of this revolutionary Cognitive IoT paradigm marks the beginning of a new era in airport management since it improves baggage handling, reduces the number of times that losses occur, and increases customer satisfaction. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.