The city's largest float plane company is refusing to move into the new $20-million Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre because of the high rent in the facility.

Harbour Air will have to pay between $3 and $4 million in rent per year to operate out of the new terminal.

Companies estimate the extra rent will mean a levy of $9.50 per passenger, per flight. That means those flying into and out of the Flight Centre on connections will be charged twice.

Harbour Air opposes the levy and is refusing to move from its temporary terminal.

"We think it's fundamentally unfair," CEO Greg McDougall said.

"Not one single airport in the country has a for-profit model that services a substantial amount of passengers.

"This is the fourth largest airport in the province and the ninth largest airport – in terms of passenger travel – in the country."

Graham Clarke, Flight Centre chairman, says he thinks the public will appreciate the upgrade.

"The rent will be slightly higher than it is now, but it's a far better facility," he said. "If we go below that [rent], it's not sustainable."

"It absolutely is a beautiful piece of architecture and we're very proud of it and I think users will be too."

The levy has thrown a wrench into the plans of Mike Quinn, president and owner of Whistler Air, who is planning a new flight option from the terminal.

He hopes to shorten Pitt Meadows professionals' time in transit with new commuter flights between the suburb and Vancouver Harbour. Whistler Air plans to offer six flights per day charging $24 each way. The levy will jack up that cost to almost $34.

"I think it'd be an ideal way for people in that area to commute to work," Quinn said.

"I mean, it's a 10-minute flight or it's a one-hour drive. What do you want to do?"

But the levy could scuttle those plans before take-off.

"If I have to pay that for flying people back and forth from Pitt Meadows, quite honestly, I don't think it's going to work," Quinn said.

"It's excessive what they want to do. They basically want to gouge the flying public. I think the public deserves better."

McDougall agrees.

"This is about float planes remaining affordable to the general public," he said.

"It's an issue that needs to be sorted out for the travelling public."

The two sides have reached something of a stalemate.

Harbour Air refuses to move and the Flight Centre refuses to lower the multi-million-dollar rents that are forcing seaplane companies to pass along the cost to customers.

So far, only two companies have moved into the new terminal: Seair Seaplanes and Tofino Air. Both businesses have been trying to open operations in the Vancouver Harbour for years.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Shannon Paterson