I think it may be your perception, Grun. I count no fewer than 4 LW squads in the top 50 Squad scores, and no less than 17 LW squads listed at HTC. I think what you percieve is the vocal ones, and the vets that were here from day one have moved on...that's normal in any online sim, seen it happen in AW, then Warbirds, seen it here too. LW flyers are alive and well in AH, they are just not the guys that you're accustomed to seeing, the Kirins, the Rams, the MrBeans, there is a whole new breed of LW flyers out there today.
Yes, new sims have taken their toll on HTC's income, but not to the point that it makes any difference to me, the other night I ran into a 4 some of 109 drivers, they flew it very good, I was lucky to get out of there alive (run like a girl!).
AH is like a 5 gallon bucket of water, when you stick your hand in the bucket and then pull it out, do you perceive any drop in the water? Nope. Actually, for every person that leaves, I meet two newbies online!