Take away the ability to play as you see fit with smaller maps and they might not log in at all.
So what you are saying is that by denying players smaller maps with shorter flight times, you are wanting to force them to play the way you want them to by forcing boring long flights to empty bases?
Why is forcing larger maps on players that want smaller maps different than forcing smaller maps on people that want larger maps?
And aren't you forcing 3 sides on people that want two?
Any change you make or don't make , whether making smaller maps or larger maps or keeping them the same, or go 2-sided or stay 3-sided is always going to force something on someone that doesn't like it.